
From India and Madagascar, this is the only widely cultivated
species. It quickly reaches its mature height of 30 ft (9 m) with a
spread of 10 ft (3 m) and has pale green, almost stalkless leaves.
In spring it bears dense clusters of tiny red flowers; these are
followed in late summer by tight bunches of ribbed, bright yellow
fruit
Cultivation: Plant in rich, sandy, well-drained soil with ample
water. They are good seaside plants in hot climates. Propagate from
seed or cuttings
The traditional ethnomedical uses are reported as using the extract
from the root to cure skin diseases especially relief from itching.
Leaves are used as one of the ingredients in Thai medicine to
control fever..
as a liver tonic in India; the latex obtained from various parts of
the tree is emetic and purgative.
The leaves are used as a demulcent against gonnorrhea. |