Tree Species (Scientific Name)
Myrica pubescens
Food
Medicinal
Product
Colombian Common Name
Laurel de cera, Oliva de cera, Aromo, Laurel, Olivo
Tree Family
Myricaceae
Average Leaf Size (cm)
1.2cm
Length
×
0.25cm
Width
Tree Height
Shrub (1–10m)
Elevational Range (m)
1700–3900m
Distribution
Native
Exotic
Native to Colombia
Native to
Region
Americas
Latin America
Bolivia, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Jamaica, Leeward Islands, Panama, Peru, Venezuela, Windward Islands
Colombia
Antioquia, Boyacá, Caldas, Cauca, Cundinamarca, Huila, Nariño, Quindío, Risaralda, Santander, Tolima, Valle del Cauca
Coffee Agroforestry Information
Coffee System
Arabica
Coffee Impact
Unknown
Cultivation
Planted
Natural
Tree Management
Propagated by seedsand cuttings.
Tree Benefits and Uses
Farmer Uses
- Food
- Medicinal
- Product
Edible fruit. Promising for the pharmaceutical, cosmetic, and even food industries. The oil it produces has biological action as an anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, flavoring, fungicide, and insecticide. Wax extracted from its fruits has been used in panela and candles making process.
Farm Services
- Coffee Shade
- Windbreak
- Soil Improvement
- Erosion Control
- Reforestation
- Nitrogen Fixation
- Carbon Capture
Shade. Establishment of living fences, forest plantations, and silvopastoral systems; it is a pioneer species. Capture and storage of atmospheric carbon. Used for water protection and decontamination. Soil conservation and recovery of degraded areas. Has a symbiotic relationship with Frankia sp., a nitrogen-fixing bacteria. In association with coffee plantations, it is primarily used as a windbreak.
Biodiversity Benefits
Yes
Attracts seed dispersers, Attracts pollinators, Provides wildlife habitat. Fruits are consumed by birds (pigeons), and its flowers are visited mainly by insects.
Citations
Citations
Plants of the World Online (POWO). (2024). Plants of the World Online. Facilitated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Published on the Internet. Retrieved from http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org/;
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). (2024). IUCN Red List. Published on the Internet. Retrieved from https://www.iucnredlist.org/;
Fern, Ken (2024). Tropical Plants Database. Published on the Internet. Retrieved from https://tropical.theferns.info/;
Universidad EIA. (2024). Catálogo virtual de Flora del Valle de Aburrá. Published on the Internet. Retrieved from https://catalogofloravalleaburra.eia.edu.co/;
World Flora Online. (2024). World Flora Online. Published on the Internet. Retrieved from https://www.worldfloraonline.org/;
Universidad Nacional de Colombia. (2024). Nombres Comunes de las Plantas de Colombia. Published on the Internet. Retrieved from http://www.biovirtual.unal.edu.co/nombrescomunes/es/;
Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). (2024). GBIF. Published on the Internet. Retrieved from https://www.gbif.org/es/
Sistema de Información sobre Biodiversidad de Colombia (SIB) (2024). Catálogo de la Biodiversidad. Published on the Internet. Retrieved from: https://catalogo.biodiversidad.co/;
Salamanca, L.A. (2017). Evaluación de la producción de café bajo sombra con especies arbóreas en el municpio de Pajarito. UNAD;
Luna, G.C., Delgado, I.A., Burgos, L.C. (2022) Árboles conocimiento local en el Corregimiento de Morasurco, Pasto - Nariño. Universidad de Nariño