Common Name:

General Information

Siparuna macrotepala is an evergreen shrub or a tree, usually growing around 3 - 10 metres tall but occasionally reaching around 25 metres. The bole can be 10cm or more in diameter[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine. It is occasionally cultivated near villages[]
Siparuna macrotepala 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 - Peru, Ecuador, Colombia

Habitat

Primary and secondary rain forests; at elevations up to 1,500 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	10.00 m
Pollinators	Gall midges
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

All parts of the plant are aromatic. The fruits are strongly lemon-scented[].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms must be grown if fruit and seed are required.

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

An extract of the leaves is boiled in water is taken to help relieve diarrhoea, fever, headaches, and other symptoms of malaria[].
The pungent odour of the crushed leaves is inhaled to treat headaches[].
Bundles of leaves are used to fan children in curing ceremonies[]. The bad-smelling leaves are used to fan and stroke patients in order to expell 'bad spirits' from the body[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed -

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