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Coutarea hexandra - (Jacq.) K.Schum.

Common Name Coutarea
Family Rubiaceae
USDA hardiness 10-12
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Moist soils in alluvial river valleys and near rivers, in both dense, primary forests and the more open, secondary formations, generally preferring more open, sunny positions[ 420 ]. Thickets in Panama[ 469 ].
Range S. America - Argentina, Paraguay, Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, the Guyanas; C. America - Panama to Mexico; Caribbean- Trinidad
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (4 of 5)
Care (info)
Tender Moist Soil Full sun
Coutarea hexandra Coutarea


https://edibleplants.org/
Coutarea hexandra Coutarea
https://edibleplants.org/

 

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Summary

Coutera hexandra is a semideciduous plant that grows up to 6 m tall with a short, usually crooked bole. It is often planted as an ornamental plant. It is commonly found in South America and grows well under sunny condition and moist soil. The bark is used in the treatment of malaria and fever. The wood is moderately heavy and hard but not very durable. It is used for tool handles, fuel and charcoal. Argentina, Paraguay, Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, the Guyanas; C. America - Panama to Mexico; Caribbean- Trinidad


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of lolypop
Coutarea hexandra is a deciduous Tree growing to 4.5 m (14ft) by 4.5 m (14ft) 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 and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Bignonia triflora Pav. ex DC. Cinchona souzana (Mart.) Brign. Coutarea alba Griseb. Coutarea campani

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

None known

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  Bitter  Febrifuge  Hypoglycaemic  Malaria  Stomachic  Tonic  Vermifuge


The stem bark is bitter, febrifuge, stomachic and tonic[ 348 , 739 ]. It can be used as a substitute for quinine (Cinchona spp.) when treating malaria, and is also used for treating swamp fever[ 348 , 739 ]. The root bark is mixed in a decoction with stem bark and then used as an antidiabetic and vermifuge[ 348 ]. The plant is a rich source of neoflavonoids and their glycosides[ 739 ]. One of the compounds in the plant has been shown to exert a relaxing effect upon the trachea[ 420 ]. The plant extract has been shown to be antiinflammatory[ 739 ].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

The Bookshop: Edible Plant Books

Our Latest books on Perennial Plants For Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens in paperback or digital formats.

Food Forest Plants for Hotter Conditions: 250+ Plants For Tropical Food Forests & Permaculture Gardens.
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Other Uses

Charcoal  Fuel  Wood

Other Uses The wood is of medium and uniform texture, moderately heavy, hard, flexible, with moderate mechanical properties and not very durable. The wood is usually too small to be of much use apart from items such as tool handles[ 420 ]. The wood is used for fuel and to make charcoal[ 420 ].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Grows best in a sunny position[ 420 ]. Prefers a moist soil[ 420 ]. Semi-deciduous

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

Coutera hexandra or Coutera

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: Mexico (Chiapas) SOUTHERN AMERICA: Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, El Salvador, Guyana, Suriname, Venezuela, Brazil, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Argentina, Paraguay

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.

None Known

Conservation Status

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

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther

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

(Jacq.) K.Schum.

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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