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Useful Tropical Plants

Soymida febrifuga

(Roxb.) A.Juss.

Meliaceae

+ Synonyms

Swietenia febrifuga Roxb.

Swietenia obtusifolia Stokes

Swietenia rubra Wight ex Wall.

Swietenia soymida A.Dunc.

Common Name: Indian Red Wood

Soymida febrifuga
Close-up of the flower
Photograph by: Lalithamba
Creative Commons License
Soymida febrifuga Soymida febrifuga

General Information

Soymida febrifuga is a large, semi-deciduous tree growing up to 30 metres tall with a long, straight, symmetrical bole[
549
Title
Flore Forestiere Du Globe
Publication
 
Author
Chnacerel L.
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
Gauthier-Villars et Co.; Paris.
Year
1920
ISBN
 
Description
Written in French, a very detailed work on the timbers of the world. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
,
1503
Title
Indian Medicinal Planta
Publication
 
Author
Kirkitar K.R.; Basu B.D. & Indian Civil Service
Publisher
Sudhindra Nath Basu, BahadurGanj; India
Year
1918
ISBN
 
Description
 
]. The plant can spread by means of rot suckers[
1503
Title
Indian Medicinal Planta
Publication
 
Author
Kirkitar K.R.; Basu B.D. & Indian Civil Service
Publisher
Sudhindra Nath Basu, BahadurGanj; India
Year
1918
ISBN
 
Description
 
].
The tree yields a valuable timber and is also harvested in large quantities from the wild and traded for use as a medicine[
2020
Title
Trade in Indian Medicinal Plants
Publication
Ethnobotany of India Vol 5., 321-345, 2018
Author
D.K.Ved, S.Noorunnisa Begum, & K.Ravi Kumar
Publisher
Apple Academic Press; Oakville, Canada
Year
2018
ISBN
978-1-77188-600-0
Description
 
], It is used locally as a source of fibre, dyes, gum and medicines.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References


Range

E. Asia - India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Myanmar.

Habitat

Dry forests[
146
Title
A Manual of Indian Timbers.
Publication
 
Author
Gamble. J. S.
Publisher
Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh
Year
1972
ISBN
-
Description
First written in the 19th century, but still a classic, giving a lot of information on the uses and habitats of Indian trees. Not for the casual reader.
].

Properties

Edibility Rating *
Medicinal Rating *  *  *
Other Uses Rating *  *  *
HabitSemi-deciduous Tree
Height25.00 m
Cultivation StatusWild

Cultivation Details

A plant of dry to moist, mainly lowland areas in the tropics, where it is found at elevations up to 900 metres[
418
Title
Ecocrop
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://ecocrop.fao.org/ecocrop/srv/en/home
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Basic information on a wide range of useful plants, plus details of environmental needs where available.
]. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 32 - 40°c, though it can tolerate 10 - 47°c. It prefers a mean annual rainfall of 800 - 1,300mm, tolerating 600 - 1,500mm, growing in areas with a distinct dry season[
418
Title
Ecocrop
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://ecocrop.fao.org/ecocrop/srv/en/home
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Basic information on a wide range of useful plants, plus details of environmental needs where available.
].
Requires a sunny position[
418
Title
Ecocrop
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://ecocrop.fao.org/ecocrop/srv/en/home
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Basic information on a wide range of useful plants, plus details of environmental needs where available.
]. Succeeds in most well-drained soils[
418
Title
Ecocrop
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://ecocrop.fao.org/ecocrop/srv/en/home
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Basic information on a wide range of useful plants, plus details of environmental needs where available.
]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 6.5, but tolerates 4.5 - 7.8[
418
Title
Ecocrop
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://ecocrop.fao.org/ecocrop/srv/en/home
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Basic information on a wide range of useful plants, plus details of environmental needs where available.
].

Edible Uses

The fruit is said to be edible[
2040
Title
Ethnic Food Plants and Ethnic Food Preparation in Eastern Ghats and adjacent Deccan Region
Publication
Ethnobotany of India Vol 1 pp 129-211, 2017
Author
Sadasivaiah B. & Pullaiah T.
Publisher
Apple Academic Press; Oakville, Canada
Year
2017
ISBN
978-1-77188-339-9
Description
 
].

Medicinal

The deep red bark is antiperiodic, antipyretic, very astringent and a bitter tonic[
146
Title
A Manual of Indian Timbers.
Publication
 
Author
Gamble. J. S.
Publisher
Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh
Year
1972
ISBN
-
Description
First written in the 19th century, but still a classic, giving a lot of information on the uses and habitats of Indian trees. Not for the casual reader.
,
387
Title
Economic Products of India. Volume 1.
Publication
 
Author
Watt. G.
Publisher
Government of India: Calcutta.
Year
1883
ISBN
 
Description
Although over 100 years old, it still contains a wealth of information on useful plants. Many of the botanical names have been changed since then, so you have to check for up to date names. The book can be downloaded from the Internet.
,
460
Title
Flora Medica
Publication
 
Author
Lindley J.
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/
Publisher
Longman, Orme, Brown, Green and Longmans: London
Year
1838
ISBN
 
Description
A massive work - many of the botanical names have changed, but the book is still a wealth of information.
,
1503
Title
Indian Medicinal Planta
Publication
 
Author
Kirkitar K.R.; Basu B.D. & Indian Civil Service
Publisher
Sudhindra Nath Basu, BahadurGanj; India
Year
1918
ISBN
 
Description
 
,
2022
Title
Indian Medicinal Plants; An Illustrated Dictionary
Publication
 
Author
Khare C.P. (Ed.)
Publisher
Springer-Verlag Berlin/Heidelberg
Year
2007
ISBN
978-0-387-70637-5
Description
 
]. The bark is said to be much inferior to cinchona bark, but to be a good substitute for oak bark[
2022
Title
Indian Medicinal Plants; An Illustrated Dictionary
Publication
 
Author
Khare C.P. (Ed.)
Publisher
Springer-Verlag Berlin/Heidelberg
Year
2007
ISBN
978-0-387-70637-5
Description
 
]. A decoction is used in the treatment of general debility, diarrhoea and dysentery, dyspepsia, dysmenorrhoea; and is also often used as a febrifuge instead of quinine (Cinchona spp.) by local people[
146
Title
A Manual of Indian Timbers.
Publication
 
Author
Gamble. J. S.
Publisher
Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh
Year
1972
ISBN
-
Description
First written in the 19th century, but still a classic, giving a lot of information on the uses and habitats of Indian trees. Not for the casual reader.
,
387
Title
Economic Products of India. Volume 1.
Publication
 
Author
Watt. G.
Publisher
Government of India: Calcutta.
Year
1883
ISBN
 
Description
Although over 100 years old, it still contains a wealth of information on useful plants. Many of the botanical names have been changed since then, so you have to check for up to date names. The book can be downloaded from the Internet.
,
2022
Title
Indian Medicinal Plants; An Illustrated Dictionary
Publication
 
Author
Khare C.P. (Ed.)
Publisher
Springer-Verlag Berlin/Heidelberg
Year
2007
ISBN
978-0-387-70637-5
Description
 
,
2041
Title
Biodiversity of Medicinal Plants in the Eastern Ghats of Northern Andhra Pradesh, India
Publication
Medicinal Plants: Biodiversity, Sustainable Utilization and Conservation pp 3-20
Author
Venkaiah M., Prakasa Rao J. & R. Prameela R.
Website
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-1636-8
Publisher
Springer Nature; Singapore
Year
2020
ISBN
978-981-15-1635-
Description
 
,
2053
Title
Ethnobotanical Trees of Sri Lankamalleswara Wildlife Sanctuary, Eastern Ghats, Andhra Pradesh
Publication
Medicinal Plants: Biodiversity, Sustainable Utilization and Conservation pp 317-374
Author
Basha S.K.M. & Reddy P.S.K.
Website
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-1636-8_19
Publisher
Springer Nature; Singapore
Year
2020
ISBN
978-981-15-1635-1
Description
 
]. It is said to be an efficient remedy for the dangerous jungle fever of India, when quinine produces no effect. It has also been employed successfully against typhus fever and has proven to be effective in treating bad cases of gangrene[
460
Title
Flora Medica
Publication
 
Author
Lindley J.
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/
Publisher
Longman, Orme, Brown, Green and Longmans: London
Year
1838
ISBN
 
Description
A massive work - many of the botanical names have changed, but the book is still a wealth of information.
].
A decoction of the bark forms a good substitute for oak-bark, and is well suited for use as gargles, vaginal injections and enemas[
1503
Title
Indian Medicinal Planta
Publication
 
Author
Kirkitar K.R.; Basu B.D. & Indian Civil Service
Publisher
Sudhindra Nath Basu, BahadurGanj; India
Year
1918
ISBN
 
Description
 
]; it is also used as a gargle in the treatment of stomatitis, and is applied topically to rheumatic swellings[
2022
Title
Indian Medicinal Plants; An Illustrated Dictionary
Publication
 
Author
Khare C.P. (Ed.)
Publisher
Springer-Verlag Berlin/Heidelberg
Year
2007
ISBN
978-0-387-70637-5
Description
 
]. It is used in the treatment of fractures and snake bites[
2042
Title
Ethnobotanicals of the Western Ghats
Publication
Ethnobotany of India Vol. 2 pp 111-207, 2017
Author
Noorunnisa Begum S., Ravikumar K. & Ved D.K.
Publisher
Apple Academic Press; Oakville, Canada
Year
2017
ISBN
978-1-77188-404-4
Description
 
].

The plant contains mainly tetranor-triterpenoids and flavonoids[
2022
Title
Indian Medicinal Plants; An Illustrated Dictionary
Publication
 
Author
Khare C.P. (Ed.)
Publisher
Springer-Verlag Berlin/Heidelberg
Year
2007
ISBN
978-0-387-70637-5
Description
 
].
The heartwood gave febrifugine A and B, febrinins A and B; the flavonoids naringenin, quercetin, myricetin and dehydromyricetin[
2022
Title
Indian Medicinal Plants; An Illustrated Dictionary
Publication
 
Author
Khare C.P. (Ed.)
Publisher
Springer-Verlag Berlin/Heidelberg
Year
2007
ISBN
978-0-387-70637-5
Description
 
].
The root heartwood yielded sitosterol, obtusifoliol, syringetin and dihydrosyringetin[
2022
Title
Indian Medicinal Plants; An Illustrated Dictionary
Publication
 
Author
Khare C.P. (Ed.)
Publisher
Springer-Verlag Berlin/Heidelberg
Year
2007
ISBN
978-0-387-70637-5
Description
 
].
The bark contains tetranor-triterpenoids with a modified furan ring[
2022
Title
Indian Medicinal Plants; An Illustrated Dictionary
Publication
 
Author
Khare C.P. (Ed.)
Publisher
Springer-Verlag Berlin/Heidelberg
Year
2007
ISBN
978-0-387-70637-5
Description
 
].
A petroleum ether extract of the bark yielded a steroid, methyl angolensate; an ether extract yielded a steroid glycoside[
2022
Title
Indian Medicinal Plants; An Illustrated Dictionary
Publication
 
Author
Khare C.P. (Ed.)
Publisher
Springer-Verlag Berlin/Heidelberg
Year
2007
ISBN
978-0-387-70637-5
Description
 
]..

Other Uses

A strong, red fibre is obtained from the bark[
46
Title
Dictionary of Economic Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Uphof. J. C. Th.
Publisher
Weinheim
Year
1959
ISBN
-
Description
An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
,
439
Title
The Commercial Products of India.
Publication
 
Author
Watts. Sir George.
Publisher
John Murray, London.
Year
1908
ISBN
 
Description
A classic, with a comprehensive (as then known) listing of useful plants that were traded commercially at that time. It can be downloaded from various sites on the Internet.
]. It is made into ropes[
46
Title
Dictionary of Economic Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Uphof. J. C. Th.
Publisher
Weinheim
Year
1959
ISBN
-
Description
An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
,
146
Title
A Manual of Indian Timbers.
Publication
 
Author
Gamble. J. S.
Publisher
Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh
Year
1972
ISBN
-
Description
First written in the 19th century, but still a classic, giving a lot of information on the uses and habitats of Indian trees. Not for the casual reader.
,
454
Title
Useful Fiber Plants of the World
Publication
 
Author
Dodge C.R.
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/
Publisher
USDA; Washington.
Year
1897
ISBN
 
Description
A rather dated, but very comprehensive catalogue of fibre plants from around the world. The book can be downloaded from the Internet.
].

The bark is a source of tannins[46. 146,
387
Title
Economic Products of India. Volume 1.
Publication
 
Author
Watt. G.
Publisher
Government of India: Calcutta.
Year
1883
ISBN
 
Description
Although over 100 years old, it still contains a wealth of information on useful plants. Many of the botanical names have been changed since then, so you have to check for up to date names. The book can be downloaded from the Internet.
].

A beautiful clear gum is obtained from the bark in large pieces[
146
Title
A Manual of Indian Timbers.
Publication
 
Author
Gamble. J. S.
Publisher
Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh
Year
1972
ISBN
-
Description
First written in the 19th century, but still a classic, giving a lot of information on the uses and habitats of Indian trees. Not for the casual reader.
]. It affords a good mucilage[
146
Title
A Manual of Indian Timbers.
Publication
 
Author
Gamble. J. S.
Publisher
Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh
Year
1972
ISBN
-
Description
First written in the 19th century, but still a classic, giving a lot of information on the uses and habitats of Indian trees. Not for the casual reader.
,
387
Title
Economic Products of India. Volume 1.
Publication
 
Author
Watt. G.
Publisher
Government of India: Calcutta.
Year
1883
ISBN
 
Description
Although over 100 years old, it still contains a wealth of information on useful plants. Many of the botanical names have been changed since then, so you have to check for up to date names. The book can be downloaded from the Internet.
,
439
Title
The Commercial Products of India.
Publication
 
Author
Watts. Sir George.
Publisher
John Murray, London.
Year
1908
ISBN
 
Description
A classic, with a comprehensive (as then known) listing of useful plants that were traded commercially at that time. It can be downloaded from various sites on the Internet.
].

The heartwood is a very dark red-brown, the sapwood is thin and whitish[
146
Title
A Manual of Indian Timbers.
Publication
 
Author
Gamble. J. S.
Publisher
Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh
Year
1972
ISBN
-
Description
First written in the 19th century, but still a classic, giving a lot of information on the uses and habitats of Indian trees. Not for the casual reader.
]. The wood is close-grained; extremely hard; very durable[
146
Title
A Manual of Indian Timbers.
Publication
 
Author
Gamble. J. S.
Publisher
Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh
Year
1972
ISBN
-
Description
First written in the 19th century, but still a classic, giving a lot of information on the uses and habitats of Indian trees. Not for the casual reader.
,
1503
Title
Indian Medicinal Planta
Publication
 
Author
Kirkitar K.R.; Basu B.D. & Indian Civil Service
Publisher
Sudhindra Nath Basu, BahadurGanj; India
Year
1918
ISBN
 
Description
 
]. It is somewhat cross-grained, making it difficult to plane[
146
Title
A Manual of Indian Timbers.
Publication
 
Author
Gamble. J. S.
Publisher
Bishen Singh Mahendra Pal Singh
Year
1972
ISBN
-
Description
First written in the 19th century, but still a classic, giving a lot of information on the uses and habitats of Indian trees. Not for the casual reader.
]. The wood has a beautiful, close, compact grain, giving a fine surface from the tool, and is a valuable and attractive decorative furniture
wood, suitable for all high-class purposes[
719
Title
A Manual of the Timbers of the World
Publication
 
Author
Howard A.L.
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
MacMillan and Co.; London.
Year
1934
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent and comprehensive book on timbers. Rather dated, but still a main source of information for many of the less known woods. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. It is suitable for house building, furniture, pestles, grain mills, carving etc[
46
Title
Dictionary of Economic Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Uphof. J. C. Th.
Publisher
Weinheim
Year
1959
ISBN
-
Description
An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
,
439
Title
The Commercial Products of India.
Publication
 
Author
Watts. Sir George.
Publisher
John Murray, London.
Year
1908
ISBN
 
Description
A classic, with a comprehensive (as then known) listing of useful plants that were traded commercially at that time. It can be downloaded from various sites on the Internet.
,
2053
Title
Ethnobotanical Trees of Sri Lankamalleswara Wildlife Sanctuary, Eastern Ghats, Andhra Pradesh
Publication
Medicinal Plants: Biodiversity, Sustainable Utilization and Conservation pp 317-374
Author
Basha S.K.M. & Reddy P.S.K.
Website
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-1636-8_19
Publisher
Springer Nature; Singapore
Year
2020
ISBN
978-981-15-1635-1
Description
 
].

Propagation

Seed -
Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2024-12-05. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Soymida+febrifuga>

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