Jacq.
Clusiaceae
Clusia retusa Poir.
Elwertia retusa Raf.
Firkea rosea (Jacq.) Raf.
Frequent Title:
{Photograph} by: Wmpearl
Artistic Commons Zero, Public Area Dedication
Basic Data
Clusia rosea is an evergreen tree with a really broad, dense, spreading crown; it may develop as much as 18 metres tall. The normally brief bole may be 60cm in diameter, normally with prop roots on the base[
,
]. Just like many species of figs (Ficus spp.), this plant usually begins life as an epiphyte, with the seed germinating within the fork of a tree. Ultimately, the plant sends down a number of aerial roots which, as soon as they attain the soil root into the bottom and provide the plant with vitamins. This permits it to develop sooner than the host tree, while the aerial roots thicken and begin to constrict the host tree. Ultimately the host dies and this species stays[
,
].
The tree has quite a lot of native makes use of and is usually harvested from the wild for its wooden, latex and medicinal purposes. It’s usually cultivated as a decorative and avenue tree within the Tropics, the place it’s valued particularly for its massive, showy flowers[
].
Recognized Hazards
The ball-like fruits are usually not edible and are thought-about to be toxic, although they’re eaten by bats[
].
Botanical References
Vary
S. America – Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, the Guyanas; C. America – Panama to Mexico; Caribbean – Trinidad to Bahamas; SE N. America – Florida.
Habitat
Banks and hillsides in forests[
].
Properties
| Weed Potential | Sure |
| Medicinal Ranking | |
| Different Makes use of Ranking | |
| Behavior | Evergreen Tree |
| Top | 12.00 m |
| Pollinators | Bats |
| Self-fertile | No |
| Cultivation Standing | Decorative, Wild |
Cultivation Particulars
Succeeds in full solar to partial shade[
]. Prefers a well-drained soil[
].Crops can thrive in a wide range of environments, from dry barren lava landscapes to steep cliffs in moist areas[
]. Established vegetation are drought tolerant, and may tolerate periodic inundation of the soil[
]. The heavy foliage is salt tolerant and so this species may be grown in uncovered positions close to the coast[
].
Usually grown as a decorative, vegetation can unfold readily into surrounding areas, presumably as a consequence of bird-dispersed seeds. It has develop into invasive in some areas and this, coupled with the tree’s behavior of strangling and killing extra invaluable timber within the forest, has led to it being classed as a forest pest[,
,
].
This species makes use of the ‘ Crassulacean Acid Metabolism’ (CAM) pathway to photosynthesis, a mechanism which aids in conserving moisture. This kind of mechanism can be utilized by cacti and different succulents. In Clusia, CAM is helpful through the epiphytic seedling stage till aerial roots are in a position to attain the bottom and draw up vitamins and moisture[
].
This species is exclusive in that it belongs to the one genus of vegetation able to absorbing carbon dioxide through the night time[
].
The plant may be in flower or fruit all yr spherical[
].
A dioecious species, each female and male varieties must be grown if fruit and seed are require[
]. One report says that solely functionally feminine flowers are recognized and that the tree produces seed apomictically (an asexual course of)[
].
Edible Makes use of
None recognized
Medicinal
The resinous latex obtained from the plant is used medicinally and as a plaster[
]. The latex is balsamic, bitter and purgative[
].
The flowwers are bechic (they relieve coughs)[
].
Agroforestry Makes use of:
The tree has been planted on the perimeters of seashores to stop soil erosion[
].
Different Makes use of
The tree, particularly the bark and surrounding the seeds contained in the fruit, accommodates a yellow, resinous latex[
]. It hardens upon publicity to the air and has been used for caulking boats, medicinal functions and many others[
].
The early Spanish conquistadores within the West Indies made enjoying playing cards of the thick, leathery, paddle-like leaves, drawing the figures and spots with a pin and shuffling these substitutes of their playing video games within the absence of standard playing cards. One other early use was for writing paper. It’s attainable to write down phrases and many others upon the leaves, utilizing a finger nail or pin and many others., and this writing will stay on the leaf[
,
,
].
The heartwood is reddish-brown; it’s not clearly demarcated from the lighter colored sapwood. Texture is medium to tremendous; grain is straight; lustre medium; with out progress rings; there isn’t any discernible style or aroma in seasoned wooden. The wooden is tough, heavy, sturdy, very inclined to assault by drywood termites. The speed of air-seasoning and quantity of degrade are average. It’s reasonably troublesome to noticed and machine. Machining traits are as follows : planing and boring are honest, although tearing and crushing could happen regularly; and shaping, turning, mortising, sanding, and resistance to screw splitting are good; glueing and sharpening are good. The wooden is used primarily for fenceposts, rural building, and crossties. It’s appropriate additionally for mild and heavy building, low-cost furnishings, farm implement components, and power handles[
,
].
The wooden is used for gas[
,
].
Propagation
Seed –
Cuttings
Air layering
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