Common Name: Long John

General Information

Long John is a medium-sized, evergreen tree with a dense, rounded crown; it can grow 15 - 25 metres tall[, ]. The straight, cylindrical bole, which can be 45cm in diameter and free of branches for up to 15 metres, is slightly angled or fluted and has low narrow buttresses[, , ].
The tree is harvested from the wild for its wood, which is mainly used locally, and its bark, which is used medicinally.

Known Hazards

Hollow stems on the tree are inhabited by small, vicious ants which emerge quickly and attack anyone molesting the tree[].

Botanical References

Range

S. America - Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, the Guyanas.

Habitat

Lowlands, in old clearings - sometimes in almost pure stands - and on low river banks[]. It also occurs in swamp and rain forests[]. Found in both dense, primary formations and in secondary growth[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	15.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the lowland moist tropics, where it is usually found at elevations below 300 metres, but occasionally found up to 1,200 metres.
Prefers a sunny position[]. Prefers a moist to wet soil and is tolerant of seasonally inundated soils[].
The tree has wind-dispersed seed. It has escaped from cultivation and proved to be moderately invasive in the French Polynesian Islands[].
A very fast-growing tree[].
The tree sprouts freely from the base after it is cut down. It regenerates easily after forest fires[].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if seeds are required[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

A decoction of the bark is used in the treatment of dysentery, diarrhoea and piles[, ].

Agroforestry Uses:

A fast-growing, natural pioneer species within its native range, it can be used for re-establishing native woodland, especially in moister soils and in areas subject to inundation[]. It is also probably suitable for use as a pioneer when establishing a woodland garden[].

Other Uses

The wood is a pale gray-brown to pinkish-brown, the sapwood is not distinct from the heartwood[]. The lustre is medium; the texture medium to moderately coarse; the grain straight or slightly interlocked; without distinctive odour or taste[]. The wood is light, strong, tough and elastic; it is not resistant to attack by decay fungi and is vulnerable to dry-wood termites[, ]. It machines well in all operations, but is rated only fair in turning[]. It is used for furniture components, boxes and crates, interior construction, joinery, fibreboard and particleboard[, ].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a partially shaded position in a nursery seedbed. A high germination rate can be expected, with the seed sprouting within 20 - 30 days[]. When the seedlings are 4 - 6cm tall, pot them up into individual containers and they should be ready to plant out 4 - 5 months later[].

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