Common Name:

General Information

Vepris lanceolata is an evergreen shrub or tree, usually growing 2 - 5 metres tall but up to 24 metres when growing in the dry forests of S. Africa[, ]. The boles of larger trees are straight and cylindrical, up to 150cm in diameter[].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a source of medicines and wood. It can be used in soil restoration projects and is sometimes grown as an ornamental[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

East Africa - Kenya to S. Africa.

Habitat

Found in a wide range of habitats including coastal evergreen thicket; along beaches on loose sandy soil, dunes, usually at elevations from sea level to 100 metres, but up to 1,400 metres in S. Africa[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	12.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A tree of mainly lowland areas in the tropics and subtropics. Plants can tolerate some frosts[].
Established plants can tolerate occasional droughts, but dislike growing in very dry areas[].
The crushed leaves have a lemony scent[].
The plant responds well to pruning and responds moderately well to coppicing[, ].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruits and seed are required[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The plant is aromatic, astringent, bitter, febrifuge, stimulant and tonic[].

Leaf and root decoctions are used to treat malaria; however, high doses may result in peptic ulcers[].

The roots are used to treat infertility in women, menorrhagia, cardiac pain, colic and influenza[].
Root and stem decoctions are used as an anodyne for women during child delivery[].

The leaves are astringent[]. They are used in the treatment of pulmonary infections, rheumatic pains, fever, influenza, stomach-ache and amenorrhoea[]
The pulverized leaves are applied externally as a poultice to relieve headaches[]. Leaf decoctions and infusions are used to wash wounds and sores[].

The leaves and branches contain alkaloids and limonoids[].
Leaf and root bark extracts have shown moderate in-vitro antiplasmodial activity[].
Aqueous leaf and stem extracts have shown moderate antibacterial and antifungal activities[].

Agroforestry Uses:

A reasonably fast-growing tree, it is planted to restore degraded environments[, ].
The tree does not have an aggressive root system[].

Other Uses

The heartwood is white to pale greenish brown; indistinctly demarcated from the up to 12.5cm wide sapwood. The grain is usually straight, texture fine and even[]. The wood is fairly heavy to very heavy, hard, tough, elastic but not durable[]. It is rather difficult to saw because of its hardness; it is recommended that it is sawn before drying. It works and planes readily, and can be finished to a smooth surface. The gluing and turning properties are satisfactory[]. The wood is used for beams, tool handles and implements. It is suitable for heavy construction, flooring, shipbuilding, vehicle bodies, furniture, cabinet work, mine props, sporting goods, toys, novelties, precision equipment, carving, vats and turnery[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe. Seedlings transplant well[].

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