Common Name:

General Information

Siparuna guianensis is an evergreen shrub when growing in savannah but can become a tree from 5 - 20 metres tall in the rainforest[, ]. The fairly cylindrical bole can be up to 20cm in diameter, and is usually unbranched for about one third of the entire height[, ].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine, pesticide and source of wood.
Siparuna guianensis has a very wide distribution, large population, is not currently experiencing any major threats and no significant future threats have been identified. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2019)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

S. America - Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, the Guyanas; C. America - Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua.

Habitat

Primary and secondary rainforests, especially near rivers, and in savannahs[, ]. Forming undergrowth in dense forests at elevations of 120 - 1050 metres in Peru[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	8.00 m
Pollinators	Gall midges
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

The whle plant has a penetrating and pleasant smell[].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms must be grown if fruit and seed are required.

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The bark is anthelmintic and febrifuge[]. A decoction is used as an external application in the treatment of fevers, including malaria; hookworm and chest colds in babies[]. The bark is used to relieve the bite of the munuri ant (Pariponera clavata)[].

The bark and leaves are used to make a wash for treating fungal skin conditions and fevers[]. They are crushed in a liquid which is then snuffed as a treatment for coughs[].

The leaves are abortifacient, antiinflammatory, diaphoretic, diuretic, febrifuge, hypotensive and vulnerary[]. They are used to promote blood circulation, as a treatment for headaches, high blood pressure and oedema[]. An infusion is given to women convalescing after childbirth[]. A decoction of the leaves is used to treat stomach disorders[].
The leaves are used to make a poultice for reducing inflammations, easing rheumatic joints and headaches, and treating cuts and wounds[, ].The macerated leaves in cold water are used as an antipyretic wash[]. Macerated leaves in water are used as an herbal bath[].

The pulp of the fruit and macerated roots are used as a medicament for bush yaws[].

The plant contains the oxoaporphine alkaloids liriodenine and cassamedine[].
Liriodenine has been shown to act as a sedative on the central nervous system, and its presence in the leaves of this species may be responsible for their use in teas considered anti-cough medicines[].
The plant contains essential oils, of which 26% is curzerenone (anoxidized derivative of Beta-elemene); 8% is myristicin; and 3% eugenol methyl ether[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Siparuna guianensis is an early successional species, frequently found in disturbed areas. It is also shade tolerant and is found in primary forests[]. It shound be suitable as a pioneer species in reforestation schemes within its native range[].

Other Uses

The leaves can be used to repel insects[].
Extracts of the plant are used to kill vermin or as an insecticide[]

An essential oil obtained from the leaves is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as a fragrance[].

The heartwood is brown, the sapwood a paler brown. The texture is moderately fine, the grain straight or interwoven, the seasoned wood is free of odour or taste[]. The wood is of medium weight, heavy, tough and strong[]. It is fairly easy to work, holds its place well but is rather splintery[].

Propagation

Seed -

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