Apocynaceae FAMILY

Stemmadenia litoralis

Edibility

1/5

Medicinal

0/5

Safety & Hazards

The plant is reported to be highly poisonous, and it is stated that use of ashes from the wood in treating corn for making tortillas has sometimes caused grave accidents[ 369 Title Flora of Costa Rica Publication Author Standley P.C. Website http://www.archive.org/ Publisher Field Museum of Natural History; Chicago Year 1938 ISBN Description Rather dated, but an excellent treatment of the area. Available for download from the internet. ].

Botanical Description

Stemmadenia litoralis is a shrub or small tree growing up to 10 metres tall[ 369 Title Flora of Costa Rica Publication Author Standley P.C. Website http://www.archive.org/ Publisher Field Museum of Natural History; Chicago Year 1938 ISBN Description Rather dated, but an excellent treatment of the area. Available for download from the internet. ]. The latex obtained from the plant is sometimes used as a masticatory. A very ornamental plant, it is often grown in gardens, being valued especially for its highly aromatic flowers. When in full bloom, perfume fills the area with a soft, musky sweetness.

Habitat & Origin

Origintropical

Native RangeNorthern S. America - Colombia, through Central America to Mexico.

HabitatMoist or wet forests at elevations up to 700 metres[ 331 Title Flora of Guatemala Publication Author Standley P.C. & J. A. Steyermark Website http://www.archive.org/ Publisher Year 1946 - 1976 ISBN Description A superb reference, though somewhat dated. Gives lots of plant uses as well as information on plant habit and habitat. The entire flora (13 volumes) can now be downloaded from http://www.archive.org/ ].