Common Name:

General Information

Symplocos oblongifolia is a semideciduous shrub or small tree with a dense, irregular crown; it can grow 3 - 5 metres tall. The short, crooked bole can be 15 - 25cm in diameter with a thick bark[].
The tree is sometimes gathered from the wild for local use of its wood.
Symplocos oblongifolia 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 - Paraguay, southern, central and eastern Brazil.

Habitat

Savannah and grassland, usually at higher elevations, favouring well-drained soils[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Semi-deciduous Tree
Height	4.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Pollinators	Bees, Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Requires a sunny position[]. Usually found in well-drained soils in the wild[].
Young plants have a moderate rate of growth[].
The fruits are a favourite food of the native avifauna[].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required.

Edible Uses

The fruit has a succulent, sweetish pulp[]. This report does not say that the fruit is edible[]. The dark green, ellipsoidal fruit is about 12mm long and 4mm wide, containing a single seed[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

Many species in this genus accumulate aluminium, especially in their leaves and bark. Those species where the leaves turn yellow upon drying contain the largest quantities of aluminiun (up to 4.2% dry weight). Thus many Symplocos species can be used as the source of a yellow dye, and can also be used as a mordant[, , ].

The wood is coarse-textured, straight-grained, light in weight, easy to cut, susceptible to the attacks of wood-eating organisms. It is generally too small to be used other than as fuel and to make charcoal[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a partially shaded position in a nursery seedbed. A low germination rate can be expected, with the seed sprouting within 30 - 50 days[].

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