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Summary
Ocotea cymosa is an evergreen tree growing about 20 m in height and can be found in Africa. It has a straight, buttressed bole that can be branchless for up to 16 m and usually up to 80 cm in diameter. The leaves and fruits are used as condiment, and the bark is used in preparing alcoholic beverages. The plant yields high quality timber used for furniture, cabinet making, boat constructions, ship building, toys, boxes, etc.
Physical Characteristics
Ocotea cymosa is a TREE growing to 20 m (65ft) by 20 m (65ft) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in saline soils.
It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Agathophyllum cymosum Blume ex Meisn. Agathophyllum lindleyanum Blume Daphne cupularis Lindl. ex Bai
Plant Habitats
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Fruit Inner bark Leaves
Edible Uses: Condiment Drink
The leaves, bark and fruits are aromatic; the leaves and fruits are used as condiment, the bark is added to locally prepared alcoholic drinks[299 ].
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.
None known
References More on Medicinal Uses
Other Uses
Furniture Wood
Other Uses The heartwood is pale brown; it is usually indistinctly demarcated from the sapwood. The grain is usually interlocked, texture medium. The wood is moderately lightweight, it is often attacked by pinhole borers, but is moderately resistant to fungi, dry-wood borers, termites and marine borers. It is easy to saw and work with both hand and machine tools; sanding is sometimes needed for good results in planing operations; it is fairly easy to glue, paint and varnish; it nails well, with good nail-holding capacity. The peeling and slicing properties are good. The moulding properties are satisfactory and the wood is suitable for carving. It is resistant to impregnation by preservatives[299 ]. Freshly sawn wood has an unpleasant smell[299 ]. The wood of this species, and several other Ocotea species from Madagascar, is known as 'Varongy. It is in high demand for furniture, cabinet making, boat construction and mortars, but is also valued for construction, joinery, vehicle bodies, interior trim and pattern making. It is suitable for mine props, ship building, toys, novelties, boxes, crates, carvings, turnery, veneer and plywood. It is less suitable for flooring because it is too soft[299 ].
Special Uses
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
Although generally thought of as needing moderate amounts of sun, trials have shown that it is extremely shade tolerant[299 ].
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
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Plant Propagation
Seed -
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Varongy
Native Range
AFRICA: Madagascar
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
IUCN Red List
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.
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Expert comment
Author
(Nees) Palacky
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.
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