Apocynaceae FAMILY

Geissospermum laeve

Edibility

0/5

Medicinal

2/5

Safety & Hazards

The wood contains the alkaloid geissospermine, a paralyzing poison that can stop the functions of the central nervous system[ 420 Title Brazilian Trees. Volume 2. 4th Edition. Publication Author Lorenzi. H. Publisher Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora; Brazil. Year 2002 ISBN 85-86714-15-1 Description Information on 350 species of Brazilian trees. Stunning photographs of each species, brief details on the plant, its uses and how to grow it from seed. A superb work, with the minor irritation that the translation from Portuguese is not of the best. ].

Botanical Description

Geissospermum laeve is an evergreen tree with a dense crown; it can grow up to 30 metres tall. The bole is 40 - 60cm in diameter[ 420 Title Brazilian Trees. Volume 2. 4th Edition. Publication Author Lorenzi. H. Publisher Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora; Brazil. Year 2002 ISBN 85-86714-15-1 Description Information on 350 species of Brazilian trees. Stunning photographs of each species, brief details on the plant, its uses and how to grow it from seed. A superb work, with the minor irritation that the translation from Portuguese is not of the best. ]. The tree is harvested from the wild for its wood and a range of local medicinal uses.

Habitat & Origin

Origintropical

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

HabitatUpland rainforest in the Guyanas[ 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. ].