Edible Parts: Flowers  Fruit  Leaves
Edible Uses:

The fruit is eaten raw, it has a sweet, jelly-like flesh[ 307 ]. The fleshy, finger-shaped fruit is 10 - 12cm long[ 200 ]. The young buds are occasionally eaten as a pot herb[ 46 , 301 ]. The report does not specify if it is the flower or the leaf buds[ K ]. The young leaves and flowers are used in broth.

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.
Antiasthmatic  Anticoagulant  Antiinflammatory  Antitumor  Astringent  Cardiotonic  Diuretic  Dysentery  
Hypotensive  Kidney  Skin  Vasodilator

The bark and leaves are anticoagulant, antiinflammatory, antitumor, astringent, cardiotonic, diuretic, hypotensive and vasodilator[ 348 ]. A decoction of the young leaves is used to treat liver ailments and dropsy[ 46 ]. A tea or decoction of the dried leaves or inner stem-bark is used to treat hypertension, Bright's disease, blennorrhagia, albuminuria, kidney infections, heart conditions and nervous diseases, and to promote good kidney function[ 348 ]. A tea prepared from the dried leaves is used as a treatment for back pain[ 348 ]. An infusion of the leaves is sometimes injected vaginally after childbirth[ 348 ]. A hot poultice of the young shoots is used as a dressing for ulcers, abscesses, wounds, cuts and bush sores[ 348 ]. The dried leaves are smoked to alleviate asthma[ 307 ]. The juice of the plant is used as a caustic to remove warts[ 46 ]. The sap is used to treat fresh cuts[ 348 ]. A decoction of the inner bark is used in the treatment of dysentery[ 348 ].

Containers  Fibre  Friction sticks  Latex  Musical  Paper  Pioneer  Pipes  Sandpaper  Soil reclamation  String  Wood

Other uses rating: Very High (5/5). Small shade tree, Large planter, Specimen, Accent, Huimid shade garden, Courtyard, Large Conservatory. Agroforestry Uses: A pioneer species, it is one of the first trees to appear in a disturbed habitat, growing rapidly and providing the ground cover necessary for the survival of less-hardy plant species[ 510 ]. It is an ideal species to use in the initial stages of a land reclamation or reforestation program. These hardy trees grow quickly when young and they can grow in poor, eroded soils while still withstanding the full brunt of the tropical sun. They have a shallow rooting system and cast only a light shade, thus do not compete with the deeper-rooted young trees growing under their canopy. In time, they will help to provide the shade and organic material necessary to allow these other, less rugged species to survive[ 200 , 341 , 379 , 510 ]. The trees also benefit the local ecology, for they perpetually produce flowers and fruits that are staple foodstuffs to many bird and mammal species[ 510 ]. Other Uses The branches and leaf petioles are hollow. They can be cut and used as blow tubes or trumpets[ 307 ]. The Uaupe Indians of the Amazon convert the hollow stems of this tree into a very curious kind of musical instrument, a species of drum, they call 'Amboobas'[ 454 ]. A trunk, 10 - 12cm in diameter, is cut to about 1.2 metres long, removing the partitions and smoothing the inside by means of fire[ 454 ]. They then close up the lower end with leaves beaten down into a hard mass with a pestle, and cut two holes toward the top end so as to form a handle[ 454 ]. These rude instruments are commonly used in native dances, the performer, holding by the handle, beats the lower end upon the ground, and moves his feet in unison with the sounds thus produced[ 454 ]. A fibre is obtained from the inner bark of young branches[ 454 ]. Said to be very tough, it is used for sacks, strong ropes and cordage[ 454 ]. A latex obtained from the trunk can be used to make a crude type of rubber[ 307 ]. The spongy wood ignites easily and can be used as friction sticks to start a fire[ 46 , 307 , 341 , 447 ]. The leaves have a rough texture and are traditionally used as a type of sandpaper to smooth the surface of Calabash fruit shells (Cresentia cujete) that are being used to make containers etc[ 331 ]. Freshly cut, the wood is whitish or light-coloured, becoming pale brown or oatmeal coloured upon exposure[ 316 ]. Sapwood and heartwood are not differentiated[ 316 ]. The texture is coarse; the grain straight or fairly straight; fairly lustrous; without distinctive odour or taste[ 316 ]. The wood is very light and soft, tough and strong for its weight, but perishable[ 331 ]. When seasoned it is very easy to saw and machine compared with green wood[ 316 ]. Surfaces tend to tear and fuzz in shaping and turning but gives good results in planing and sanding; it nails readily and holds screws well; it is difficult to finish with varnish or lacquer[ 316 ]. It is used for making boxes, crates, paper pulp and matches[ 46 , 307 ]. It is combined with cement and made into insulation board[ 307 ]. The lightest grade of this timber should be a good substitute for the moderately heavy grades of balsa wood[ 341 ] The trunk is used as a trough to conduct water[ 46 ]. The soft, resilient wood of the roots resists splitting - it has been used to make tool handles[ 510 ].

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife  Food Forest