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Useful Tropical Plants

Memecylon capitellatum

L.

Melastomataceae

+ Synonyms

Memecylon edule capitellatum (L.) C.B.Clarke

Memecylon edule laetum C.B.Clarke

Memecylon walkeri Hook. ex C.B.Clarke

Common Name:

Memecylon capitellatum

General Information

Memecylon capitellatum is an evergreen shrub or small tree that can grow up to 5 metres tall[
1033
Title
Ayurvedic Medicinal Plants of Sri Lanka
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.instituteofayurveda.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent site and comprehensive information resource, still being developed (2016), detailing the Ayurvedic medicinal uses of the plants of Sri Lanka
].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and a dye.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

464
Title
A Handbook to the Flora of Ceylon
Publication
 
Author
Trimen H.; continued by Hooker J.D.
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
Dulau and Co; London.
Year
1898
ISBN
 
Description
Very dated, but still a useful work. It can be downloaded from the Internet.

Range

E. Asia - Sri Lanka.

Habitat

Low country in both moist and dry regions; especially in the northern forests; at elevations up to 300 metres[
464
Title
A Handbook to the Flora of Ceylon
Publication
 
Author
Trimen H.; continued by Hooker J.D.
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
Dulau and Co; London.
Year
1898
ISBN
 
Description
Very dated, but still a useful work. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
]..

Properties

Medicinal Rating *  *
Other Uses Rating *  *
HabitEvergreen Shrub
Height0.00 m
Cultivation StatusWild

Cultivation Details


We have no specific information for this species, but in general the species in this genus succeed in full sun or in partial shade, growing best in a moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil[
974
Title
Encyclopedia of Tropical Plants - Identification and Cultivation of over 3,000 Tropical Plants
Publication
 
Author
Ahmed Fayaz
Publisher
Firefly Books Ltd.; New Zealand
Year
2011
ISBN
978-1-55407-489
Description
A good photograph and terse but detailed information for over 3,000 species of tropical plants. An excellent reference.
].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The roots are used in the treatment of ulcers, swellings and sores[
1033
Title
Ayurvedic Medicinal Plants of Sri Lanka
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.instituteofayurveda.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent site and comprehensive information resource, still being developed (2016), detailing the Ayurvedic medicinal uses of the plants of Sri Lanka
].

Other Uses

The leaves turn orange-yellow when dried ; they afford a yellow dye[
464
Title
A Handbook to the Flora of Ceylon
Publication
 
Author
Trimen H.; continued by Hooker J.D.
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
Dulau and Co; London.
Year
1898
ISBN
 
Description
Very dated, but still a useful work. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].

The wood is hard and strong[
464
Title
A Handbook to the Flora of Ceylon
Publication
 
Author
Trimen H.; continued by Hooker J.D.
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
Dulau and Co; London.
Year
1898
ISBN
 
Description
Very dated, but still a useful work. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
We have no more specific information for this species, but in general the wood of Memecylon species is usually white to brown, very dense and heavy, sinking in water. It is also often very durable. Where the wood gets large enough it is often used traditionally for purposes such as poles, house posts, lumber and furniture[
1032
Title
The Gardens' Bulletin Vol. 57
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
Botanic Gardens Park and Recreation Department; Singapore
Year
1980
ISBN
 
Description
A botanical journal, this edition includes a revision of the Asian section of the genus Memecylon
].
The wood of many species in the genus has a high calorific value and is often favoured as a fuel and for making charcoal[
1032
Title
The Gardens' Bulletin Vol. 57
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
Botanic Gardens Park and Recreation Department; Singapore
Year
1980
ISBN
 
Description
A botanical journal, this edition includes a revision of the Asian section of the genus Memecylon
].

Propagation

Seed -
Air layering
Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2024-05-08. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Memecylon+capitellatum>

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