Cecropia pachystachya: Difference between revisions
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'''''Cecropia pachystachya''''', commonly known as '''Ambay pumpwood''', is a species of [[tree]] in the family [[Urticaceae]]. It is native to Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil.<ref name=Fern>{{cite web |url=http://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Cecropia+pachystachya |title=''Cecropia pachystachya'' |author=Fern, Ken|work=Tropical plants database |accessdate=14 May 2020 }}</ref> |
'''''Cecropia pachystachya''''', commonly known as '''Ambay pumpwood''', is a species of [[tree]] in the family [[Urticaceae]]. It is native to Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil where it grows near the edges of moist forests.<ref name=Fern>{{cite web |url=http://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Cecropia+pachystachya |title=''Cecropia pachystachya'' |author=Fern, Ken|work=Tropical plants database |accessdate=14 May 2020 }}</ref> |
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==Description== |
==Description== |
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''Cecropia pachystachya'' is a small evergreen tree growing to a height of about {{convert|6|m|ft|0|abbr=on}},<ref name=Fern/> and a trunk diameter of {{convert|15|to|25|cm|in|0|abbr=on}}. The tree has an open structure, with a small number of branches forking at an obtuse angle, and often forms a parasol-like shape. The twigs are hollow and are filled with [[mucilage]], and both twigs and branches exude a mucilaginous sap when damaged.<ref name=Berg>{{cite book |title=''Cecropia'' Flora Neotropica |last=Berg |first=C.C. | last2=Rosselli | first2=Pilar Franco| last3=Davidson |first3=Diane W. |year=2005 |publisher=New York Botanical Garden Press |isbn= |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/4393938 }}</ref> The large leaves are almost circular, and are deeply divided into nine to ten lobes which are separated by gaps of two or three centimetres. The upper surfaces of the leaves are rough and the lower surfaces are felted with pale-coloured hairs.<ref name=Lorenzi>{{cite book|author1=Lorenzi, Harri |author2=Instituto Plantarum de Estudos da Flora|title=Brazilian Trees: 4th edition |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1ypFAQAAIAAJ |year=2002 |publisher=Instituto Plantarum de Estudos da Flora |isbn=978-85-86714-17-7}}</ref> It is a [[Dioecy|dioecious]] species, male and female flowers occurring on separate trees.<ref name=Berg/> |
''Cecropia pachystachya'' is a small evergreen tree growing to a height of about {{convert|6|m|ft|0|abbr=on}},<ref name=Fern/> and a trunk diameter of {{convert|15|to|25|cm|in|0|abbr=on}}. The tree has an open structure, with a small number of branches forking at an obtuse angle, and often forms a parasol-like shape. The twigs are hollow and are filled with [[mucilage]], and both twigs and branches exude a mucilaginous sap when damaged.<ref name=Berg>{{cite book |title=''Cecropia'' Flora Neotropica |last=Berg |first=C.C. | last2=Rosselli | first2=Pilar Franco| last3=Davidson |first3=Diane W. |year=2005 |publisher=New York Botanical Garden Press |isbn= |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/4393938 }}</ref> The large leaves are almost circular, and are deeply divided into nine to ten lobes which are separated by gaps of two or three centimetres. The upper surfaces of the leaves are rough and the lower surfaces are felted with pale-coloured hairs.<ref name=Lorenzi>{{cite book|author1=Lorenzi, Harri |author2=Instituto Plantarum de Estudos da Flora|title=Brazilian Trees: 4th edition |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1ypFAQAAIAAJ |year=2002 |publisher=Instituto Plantarum de Estudos da Flora |isbn=978-85-86714-17-7}}</ref> It is a [[Dioecy|dioecious]] species, male and female flowers occurring on separate trees.<ref name=Berg/> |
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==Distribution and habitat== |
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This tree is found in Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina at altitudes of up to about {{convert|1000|m|ft|0|abbr=on}}. It grows near the margins of humid primary forests and in clearings and secondary growth forests. It is a pioneering, fast-growing but short-lived species that sprouts readily in recently cleared areas of forest.<ref name=Fern/> |
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==Uses== |
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''Cecropia pachystachya'' is used locally for its timber, which is lightweight and suitable for making toys, boxes, pencils and plywood. Fibres from the bark are used for making sails and the mucilage can be used to make glue.<ref name=Fern/> |
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The tree has many uses in traditional medicine and contains a number of bioactive compounds. The leaves have anti-inflammatory properties and have shown antibacterial activity in the laboratory against various bacteria. The leaves and other parts of the tree are used to treat respiratory complaints, oedema, kidney disorders, diabetes, Parkinson's disease and high blood pressure, as well as a number of other conditions.<ref name=Fern/> |
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==References== |
==References== |
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Revision as of 19:57, 14 May 2020
| Cecropia pachystachya | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Rosales |
| Family: | Urticaceae |
| Genus: | Cecropia |
| Species: | C. pachystachya
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| Binomial name | |
| Cecropia pachystachya Trécul
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| Synonyms[1] | |
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List
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Cecropia pachystachya, commonly known as Ambay pumpwood, is a species of tree in the family Urticaceae. It is native to Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil where it grows near the edges of moist forests.[2]
Description
Cecropia pachystachya is a small evergreen tree growing to a height of about 6 m (20 ft),[2] and a trunk diameter of 15 to 25 cm (6 to 10 in). The tree has an open structure, with a small number of branches forking at an obtuse angle, and often forms a parasol-like shape. The twigs are hollow and are filled with mucilage, and both twigs and branches exude a mucilaginous sap when damaged.[3] The large leaves are almost circular, and are deeply divided into nine to ten lobes which are separated by gaps of two or three centimetres. The upper surfaces of the leaves are rough and the lower surfaces are felted with pale-coloured hairs.[4] It is a dioecious species, male and female flowers occurring on separate trees.[3]
Distribution and habitat
This tree is found in Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina at altitudes of up to about 1,000 m (3,281 ft). It grows near the margins of humid primary forests and in clearings and secondary growth forests. It is a pioneering, fast-growing but short-lived species that sprouts readily in recently cleared areas of forest.[2]
Uses
Cecropia pachystachya is used locally for its timber, which is lightweight and suitable for making toys, boxes, pencils and plywood. Fibres from the bark are used for making sails and the mucilage can be used to make glue.[2]
The tree has many uses in traditional medicine and contains a number of bioactive compounds. The leaves have anti-inflammatory properties and have shown antibacterial activity in the laboratory against various bacteria. The leaves and other parts of the tree are used to treat respiratory complaints, oedema, kidney disorders, diabetes, Parkinson's disease and high blood pressure, as well as a number of other conditions.[2]
References
- ^ "Cecropia pachystachya Trec". Catalogue of Life. ITIS. Retrieved 14 May 2020.
- ^ a b c d e Fern, Ken. "Cecropia pachystachya". Tropical plants database. Retrieved 14 May 2020.
- ^ a b Berg, C.C.; Rosselli, Pilar Franco; Davidson, Diane W. (2005). Cecropia Flora Neotropica. New York Botanical Garden Press.
- ^ Lorenzi, Harri; Instituto Plantarum de Estudos da Flora (2002). Brazilian Trees: 4th edition. Instituto Plantarum de Estudos da Flora. ISBN 978-85-86714-17-7.