Citronella gongonha
(Mart.) R. A. Howard
Gongonha citronella
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(c) Ramiro Pereira Garbero, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Ramiro Pereira Garbero
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Dicastelli, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
Description
An evergreen shrub or small tree. The crown is round and dense. It grows 4-5 m tall. The trunk is short and 25-30 cm across.
This description is brief — help expand it
Edible Uses
The fruit has a succulent, sweet-tasting pulp. This report does not say that the fruit is edible. The fruit is a dark purple, oval drupe around 10mm long and 6mm wide containing a single seed. The leaves have sometimes been used to make a tea as a substitute for maté (Ilex paraguariensis).
Traditional Uses
The leaves have been used to make a tea drink like mate. The fruit are succulent and sweet.
This uses section is brief — help expand it
Medicinal Uses
The leaves are aromatic, diuretic, stimulant.
Distribution
It is a tropical plant. It is often in poorly drained soils in open forest. It can grow in full sun or light shade. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 1,000 m above sea level.
Where It Grows
Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, South America, Uruguay,
Cultivation
Plants can be grown from fresh seeds. Seeds germinate in 40-50 days.
Propagation
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a partially shaded position in a nursery seedbed. A germination rate in excess of 80% can be expected, with the seed sprouting within 40 - 50 days. Air layering.
Other Uses
The heartwood and sapwood are not clearly demarcated. The wood is moderately heavy, easy to cut but of low durability if exposed to the elements. It is only used for making light packing boxes. The plant is a natural pioneer species with a moderate rate of growth and providing food for the native fauna. It can be used in reforestation projects for restoring native woodland.
Notes
Probably Icacinaceae family.
Synonyms
Also Known As
Guare
References (3)
- Fern, K., 2012, Tropical Species Database http://theferns.info/tropical/
- Grandtner, M. M. & Chevrette, J., 2013, Dictionary of Trees, Volume 2: South America: Nomenclature, Taxonomy and Ecology. Academic Press p 136
- www.colecionandofrutas.org
