Common Name:

General Information

Xylopia frutescens is an evergreen tree with a longish, spreading crown and very characteristic horizontal branches. The tree grows 4 - 8 metres tall (up to 20 metres in the Guyanas[]) and has a straight, cylindrical bole that can be 20 - 30cm in diameter[].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a source of food, medicines and various commodities. It has an attractive, conifer-like crown and can be used in landscaping[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, French Guiana, Guyana, Surinam; Central America - Panama to Mexico.

Habitat

Rainforests, in areas that are not usually subject to periodic inundation[]. Usually found in secondary formations on medium-fertility sandy soils[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	6.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Grows best in a sunny position[]. Prefers a well-drained soil[]. Established plants are drought tolerant[].
Freshly planted young trees usually establish well and grow away quickly[].

Edible Uses

The fruit is aromatic[]. It can be used as a condiment[, ]. The fruit has an acrid, aromatic taste and is used as a substitute for pepper (Piper nigrum)[].

Medicinal

The branches are used in a preparation to treat catarrhal infections of the urinary mucous membranes[]
The branches are an ingredient in a decoction with Alpinia galanga for treating dental cavities[].

The bark is aromatic[].

The spicy fruit is aphrodisiac. It is used in the treatment of dysentery and other stomach complaints. It is mixed with coffee and used as an asthma remedy[].

The seeds are antirheumatic, aphrodisiac, aromatic, carminative, diuretic, eupeptic and tonic[]. They are used in the treatment of consumption, weakness accompanied by lumbar aches etc. It is said to be effective against snake bites and is also used to treat dental caries as well as catarrhal afflictions of the mucous membranes and urinary tract[]. An infusion of the seeds is used in the treatment of colic and stomach cramps[, ]. The raw seed is infused in cold water[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Stakes of the green branches can be used to make hedges[]. It is assumed that the writer is talking about making living hedges[].
A fairly fast-growing, pioneer species with its native range, it might be suitable for use in re-establishing woodland conditions in other areas[].

Other Uses

The fibre from the bark is used to make rough ropes and burlap[, , , ].

An oil from the seeds is rubbed into the hair - probably to give it lustre[].

The wood is moderately heavy; medium textured; not durable, but more of less resistant to mechanical stress; soft and easy to work with[]. It is used for internal work in general construction; as masts for small boats; tool handles; wooden shoes etc[]. Traditionally, it is often selected as the important ridge pole or cumbrador for native houses[].
The wood is suitable for fuel and for making into charcoal[].

Propagation

Seed - germination rates and time are improved if the seed is scarified by lightly abrading the seedcoat prior to sowing. Sow the seeds in a sunny position in a nursery seedbed, preferably as soon as they have been harvested. Germination rates are usually low, with sprouting taking place within 60 - 90 days. Transplant the seedlings into individual containers when they are 4 - 6cm tall. Seedlings are quite slow growing and it will take 9 - 11 months from germination until they are ready to plant into their permanent positions[].

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