Common Name:

General Information

Ternstroemia brasiliensis is a semideciduous tree with an open, more or less roundish crown; it can grow 4 - 7 metres tall. The straight, cylindrical bole can be 20 - 30cm in diameter[].
The tree is sometimes harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of wood.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - southern and eastern Brazil, Bolivia.

Habitat

Atlantic rainforest and semideciduous forest at higher elevations, in both the dense, primary forest and in more open areas; favouring fertile, well-drained soils, often on the tops of hills[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Semi-deciduous Tree
Height	6.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in full sun to moderate shade[]. Prefers a moist, fertile, well-drained soil[]. Established plants are drought tolerant[].
Even when young the plant has a slow rate of growth[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The bark is astringent. It is used in the treatment of diarrhoea[].

The leaves are said to have medicinal uses[].

A triterpene with antitumor activity has been isolated from the roots[].

Other Uses

The wood is of medium to thick-textured, straight-grained, uniform, light in weight, soft and easy to work, with moderate mechanical properties and moderately durable if kept dry. Because of its small size, the wood is only used for purposes such as lathe work, small items in carpentry and light cabinet making[].
The wood is 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 low germination rate can usually be expected, with the seed sprouting within 20 - 35 days[]. When the seedlings are 5 - 6cm tall, pot them up into individual containers and they should be ready to plant out 6 - 8 months later[].

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