Common Name:

General Information

Symplocos uniflora is a deciduous shrub or tree with a wide, open crown; it can grow up to 6 metres tall. The cylindrical bole can be 15 - 25cm in diameter[].
The tree is sometimes harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and fuel. It can be used as a pioneer when restoring native woodland.
Symplocos uniflora 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(2020)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, southern and eastern Brazil.

Habitat

Araucaria forests and seasonal forests, usually in more open situations, preferring moist soils near water courses[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	5.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Bees, Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Grows best in a sunny position[]. Prefers a moist soil[].
Young plants have a rapid rate of growth[].
The native birds are very fond of the fruits[].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required.

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The leaves and the bark of the root are astringent and powerful antifebrile[]. An infusion of the bark is used to reduce fevers[].

The leaves and root bark are likely to contain the alkaloids colluterine and loturidin[].

Agroforestry Uses:

A fast-growing but small tree that is easy to propagate and provides food for the native fauna; it can be used as a pioneer species when restoring native woodland[].

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[]. Because of its generally small size, the wood is only occasionally used for items such as internal works, cangalhas (small wooden frames), crates, carpentry[].
Because of its small size, the wood is generally only used for 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 germination rate of almost 100% can be expected, with the seed sprouting within 50 - 70 days[].

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