Urticaceae FAMILY

Pipturus argenteus

Edibility

2/5

Medicinal

3/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Botanical Description

Pipturus argenteus is a large shrub to a small sub-canopy tree with a short, cylindrical bole 10 - 18cm in diameter that branches from near the base. It ranges in height from 6 - 20 metres[ 388 Title Guide to the Trees of Papua New Guinea Publication Author Conn. B.J. & Damas. K.Q. Website http://www.pngplants.org/PNGtrees/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An Internet site giving good descriptions of the trees of Papua New Guinea. , 440 Title Brisbane Rainforest Action and Information Network, Publication Author Website http://www.brisrain.webcentral.com.au Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description Information on plants in the Queensland Rainforests. ]. The plant has a wide range of traditional uses, being harvested from the wild as a food, medicine and a source of fibre and dyes. It has potential for use as a pioneer species when restoring native woodland or establishing woodland gardens, and is sometimes cultivated to provide a fast-growing screen.

Habitat & Origin

Origintropical

Native RangeIndian Ocean - Seychelles, Peninsular Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, New Guinea, N. Australia to the Pacific Islands.

HabitatDisturbed habitats, especially in the eastern part of its area of distribution, at elevations from sea-level up to 1,250 metres[ 310 Title Plant Resources of Southeast Asia Publication Author Website http://proseanet.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description Lots of information on the uses of the plants of SE Asia. ]. Found on beaches in Guam and in limestone soils[ 354 Title Plants of Guam Publication Author Moore P.H. & McMakin P. Website http://university.uog.edu/cals/people/POG/scipn.htm Publisher University of Guam. Year 1979 ISBN Description Brief details, usually with a photo, of plants native to the island of Guam, often together with some information on their uses. An online version is available. ]. Banks of rivers and smaller streams in Queensland[ 454 Title Useful Fiber Plants of the World Publication Author Dodge C.R. Website http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org/ Publisher USDA; Washington. Year 1897 ISBN Description A rather dated, but very comprehensive catalogue of fibre plants from around the world. The book can be downloaded from the Internet. ].