Common Name:

General Information

Suriana maritima is a spreading, much-branched, evergreen shrub that usually grows up to 3 metres tall but exceptionally reaches 7 metres[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of wood. It is grown to stabilize sand dunes and beaches, and is also sometimes used as an ornamental, especially for hedges and screens.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Coastal areas of the tropics in most regions of the world.

Habitat

Coral reefs and sandy soil. It is confined to seashores above the high-water mark and is often found on the landward side of Avicennia mangroves[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	2.50 m
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Requires a sunny position[]. The plant is tolerant of moderately saline soil and highly tolerant of beach conditions including high surface heat, drought and strong, salt-laden winds[].
The plant has a moderate rate of growth[].
If planted and given protection from competition, it will grow well on inland sites on a wide range of well-drained soils[].
The plant responds well to trimming[].
The plant flowers and produces fruits intermittently throughout the year[]
The seed is dispersed by sea water and can stay afloat for at least 5 months[, ].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The aerial parts are used as an astringent and to cure dysentery. It is also used as a poultice to treat wounds caused by poisonous fish[].

Decoctions of the leaves and branches are used as a bath to cure arthritis, applied externally to clean wounds and taken internally to treat rectal bleeding[].

Powdered flowers are used to cure diarrhoea[].

The plant is devoid of the terpenoid lactones that characterize Simaroubaceae. It contains a triterpenoid diol, surianol, as well as beta-sitosterol, the flavonoids rutin and rhamnetin and the flavonol glycoside rhamnetin-3-rutinoside.[].
Rutin is used medicinally to decrease capillary fragility[].
Leaves and stems contain sterols, terpenes and phenols[].
The flavonoids are thought to be responsible for the anti-infective properties of the plant[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant is used to help stabilize beaches and coastal dunes[, ].
The plant can be pruned and so is grown as an ornamental hedge and screen[].

Other Uses

The heartwood is dark red to reddish-brown; the sapwood is somewhat lighter. It is fine-textured. The wood is very hard, heavy, strong and durable. It polishes well. It is used to make small articles[, , ].

Propagation

Seed -

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