Apocynaceae FAMILY Endangered

Lacmellea utilis

Edibility

2/5

Medicinal

2/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Botanical Description

Lacmellea utilis is a small tree growing around 5 metres tall, occasionally to 10 metres[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ]. The tree is harvested from the wild for its sweet-tasting edible latex, which is consumed locally. Lacmellea utilis has only been collected in three localities, and has not been collected since 1987. Research is needed to establish its population size, distribution, trends, or the threat to the ecosystem through habitat loss. Based on its small known range the plant is classified as 'Endangered' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2021)[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].

Habitat & Origin

Origintropical

Native RangeNorthern S. America - Guyana, Venezuela.

HabitatSwamp 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. ]. Found mainly on granitic outcrops and sandy soils in upland and lowland forest[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].