Malvaceae FAMILY

Catostemma fragrans

Edibility

2/5

Medicinal

0/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Botanical Description

Catostemma fragrans is a tree growing up to 45 metres tall. The long, slender, cylindrical bole has a very low taper and is of excellent form. Usually around 60 - 90cm in diameter, in exceptional trees the bole can be up to 120cm. It is unbuttressed and can be free of branches for 20 metres[ 378 Title Present and Potential Commercial Timbers of the Caribbean Publication USDA Agricultural Handbook No. 207 Author Longwood.F.R. Publisher USDA Forest Service; Washington, DC. Year 1962 ISBN Description Quite detailed information on more than 60 species of Caribbean timber trees, giving species descriptions, habitat, detailed info on the wood and some info on other uses. Available for download on the internet. ]. The fruit is sometimes harvested from the wild for local consumption. The tree is exploited commercially for its timber.

Habitat & Origin

Origintropical

Native RangeNorthern S. America - French Guiana, Surinam, Guyana.

HabitatFound at low elevations in a range of rainforest types, but especially in marsh and savannah forests[ 422 Title Fruits of the Guianan Flora Publication Author van Roosmalen. M.G.M. Publisher Institute of Systematic Boyany, Utrecht University; Netherlands. Year 1985 ISBN 90-9000988-4 Description Terse descriptions of over 1,700 species from the Guianas that bear fruits - not necessarily edible! Often mentions if the fruit is edible, plus gives brief description of habit and habitat. ].