Rhamnaceae FAMILY

Rhamnus napalensis

Edibility

1/5

Medicinal

2/5

Safety & Hazards

Species in this genus contain hydroxyanthracene derivatives which have a stimulant laxative effect upon the body, and many species are used traditionally as laxatives. In small doses, and for short periods, these can be safe and effective, but used over long periods they can weaken the body's natural ability to defecate and can have a range of long-lasting negative effects upon the body, including anaemia, malabsorption, haematuria and weight loss. Large single doses can cause severe purging.

Botanical Description

Rhamnus napalensis is an erect or scrambling, deciduous shrub, occasionally becoming more tree-like; it usually grows from 1 - 6 metres tall[ 266 Title Flora of China Publication Author Website http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/ Publisher Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis. Year 1994 ISBN Description An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available. , 713 Title Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants Publication Author Website http://www.anbg.gov.au/cpbr/cd-keys/rfk/index.html Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An online resource giving botanical information, and a little bit about plant usage, for over 2,700 species of plants found in the Australian rainforest. ]. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of materials, perhaps also as a food.

Habitat & Origin

Origintemperate; tropical

Native RangeE. Asia - southern China, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, to Papua New Guinea and n. Australia

HabitatSparse to dense forests, thickets; at elevations up to 1,800 metres[ 266 Title Flora of China Publication Author Website http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/ Publisher Missouri Botanical Garden Press; St. Louis. Year 1994 ISBN Description An excellent, comprehensive resource in 25 volumes. In addition to the botanical information the flora also gives basic information on habitat and some uses. An on-line version is also available. ]. Upland rain forest, often in association with Agathis robusta; at elevations from 450 - 900 metres in northern Australia[ 713 Title Australian Tropical Rainforest Plants Publication Author Website http://www.anbg.gov.au/cpbr/cd-keys/rfk/index.html Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An online resource giving botanical information, and a little bit about plant usage, for over 2,700 species of plants found in the Australian rainforest. ].