Simarouba glauca is a Flowering plant tree that is native to Florida, South America, and the Caribbean. Common names include paradise-tree, dysentery-bark, and bitterwood. The tree is well suited for warm, humid, tropical regions. Its cultivation depends on rainfall distribution, water holding capacity of the soil, and sub-soil moisture. It is suited for temperature range of , and can grow at elevations from sea level to . It grows tall and has a span of . It bears yellow and purple elongated oval fleshy .
Cultivation
It can be propagated from seeds, grafting, and
tissue culture technology. Fruits are collected in April and May, when they are ripe, and then dried in sun for about a week. Skin is separated, and seeds are grown in
to produce saplings. Saplings 2 to 3 months old can be transplanted to a plantation.
Use
The wood is generally insect resistant and is used in the preparation of quality furniture, toys, matches, and as pulp (in paper making). It also can be used for industrial purposes in the manufacture of
biofuel, soaps, detergents, lubricants, varnishes, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals.
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Claims of medicinal properties
Simarouba is used for treating diarrhea, stomach upset, and malaria, among other diseases, but there is no scientifically verified evidence for its effectiveness in any of these.
Environmental impact
The tree forms a well-developed
root system and dense evergreen canopy that efficiently checks
Erosion, supports soil microbial life, and improves groundwater position. Besides converting
Solar power into biochemical energy yearround, it checks overheating of the soil surface, particularly during summer. Large-scale planting in wastelands facilitates wasteland reclamation, converts the accumulated atmospheric
carbon dioxide into oxygen, and contributes to the reduction of greenhouse effect or global warming.
See also
