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Maytenus obtusifolia - Mart.

Common Name Blunt folia Maytenus
Family Celastraceae
USDA hardiness 10-12
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Not known
Range S. America - northern and eastern Brazil.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (4 of 5)
Care (info)
Tender Well drained soil Moist Soil Full sun
Maytenus obtusifolia Blunt folia Maytenus


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Maytenus obtusifolia Blunt folia Maytenus
Alex Popovkin, Bahia, Brazil wikimedia.org

 

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Summary

Maytenus obtusifolia is a large tree growing about 30 m in height and 1 m in trunk diameter. It can be found in South America. The leaves have edible and medicinal uses. It is used as a substitute for China tea and as herbal medicine for ulcers, inflammations, skin conditions, and cancer. The wood is hard, heavy, very strong, but not durable. It is ideal for construction and general carpentry.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of cone
Maytenus obtusifolia is an evergreen Tree growing to 25 m (82ft) by 20 m (65ft) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

No synonyms are recorded for this name.

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves
Edible Uses: Tea

An infusion of the leaves is used as a substitute for China tea (Camellia sinsnsis)[461 ].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antiinflammatory  Cancer

The leaves are a popular herbal medicine in Brazil, where they are used in the treatment of serious ulcers, general inflammations, cancer and also against external ulcers on the skin[602 ]. Research has shown that the plant is an effective and safe treatment against ulcers, though the mechanism of action has not yet been determined[602 ].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

The Bookshop: Edible Plant Books

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Other Uses

Wood

Other Uses The heartwood is pale pink to pinky brown, the sapwood is white or gray[461 ]. The wood is hard, heavy, very strong, easy to work but not durable when in contact with the soil[46 , 461 ]. It is an excellent wood for general construction, and is also used for general carpentry and rural construction work[46 , 461 ].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

A plant of the tropics, found at elevations up to 1,000 metres.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed -

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Blunt folia Maytenus

Native Range

Coming Soon

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : This taxon has not yet been assessed

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Maytenus boariaMayten Tree, MaytenTree10.0 7-10 SLMHSNM10 

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

Mart.

Botanical References

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here
A special thanks to Ken Fern for some of the information used on this page.

Readers comment

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