Tree Species (Scientific Name)
Vismia ferruginea
Fuelwood
Lumber
Medicinal
Product
Ceremonial
Colombian Common Name
Punta de lanza, Carate
Tree Family
Hypericaceae
Average Leaf Size (cm)
15cm
Length
×
6cm
Width
Tree Height
Small (10–20m)
Elevational Range (m)
800–2800m
Distribution
Native
Exotic
Native to Colombia
Native to
Region
Americas
Latin America
Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela
Colombia
Antioquia, Caldas, Cundinamarca, Huila, Quindío, Santander, Valle del Cauca
Coffee Agroforestry Information
Coffee System
Arabica
Coffee Impact
Unknown
Cultivation
Planted
Natural
Tree Management
Propagated by seeds; it is fast-growing.
Tree Benefits and Uses
Farmer Uses
- Fuelwood
- Lumber
- Medicinal
- Product
- Ceremonial
Oils, tannins, and dyes can be extracted from its latex. Some indigenous groups have used it to paint their bodies, get fibers and fabrics. Decoctions of the root, stem, and leaves, as well as latex, have medicinal properties. Used as firewood. Used for fences and tool handles.
Farm Services
- Soil Improvement
- Reforestation
- Water Protection
As a hardy and fast-growing pioneer species, it can be useful in soil recovery and conservation processes as well as stabilization of riverbanks. Useful as living fences in mini-corridors, streams reforestation, water sources, springs protection, and establishment or expansion of forested areas.
Biodiversity Benefits
Yes
Attracts seed dispersers, Attracts pollinators. Fruits are consumed by birds and mammals (bats), and its flowers are visited by bees, wasps, and butterflies.
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/
Catálogo virtual de flora del valle de Aburrá. Retrieved from: https://catalogofloravalleaburra.eia.edu.co/species/117;
Espinosa, R., & López, A. M. (2019). Árboles nativos importantes para la conservación de la biodiversidad.
Cenicafé. https://doi.org/10.38141/cenbook-0004s;