Tree Species (Scientific Name)
Helicostylis scabra
Food
Medicinal
Peru Common Name
Misho chaqui, Pama amarilla
Tree Family
Moraceae
Average Leaf Size (cm)
12.59cm
Length
×
5cm
Width
Tree Height
Small (10–20m)
Elevational Range (m)
350–500m
Distribution
Native
Exotic
Native to Peru
Native to
Region
Americas
Latin America
Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama, Peru, Venezuela
Coffee Agroforestry Information
Coffee System
Arabica
Coffee Impact
Beneficial to coffee
Prevalence
Not Common in Coffee Agroforestry
Cultivation
Natural
Tree Management
It spreads naturally by seed. It has a low incidence of pests.
Tree Benefits and Uses
Farmer Uses
- Food
- Medicinal
Latex is antifungal, bitter, and used to treat parasites. Although thought to be toxic, it is taken internally in very small doses. Latex is applied and dried on infected parts of the skin to treat fungal diseases and applied to skin abrasions to prevent infection. The fruits are eaten and have an acidic flavor.
Farm Services
- Coffee Shade
- Soil Improvement
Coffee Shade: provides a sparse to medium shade in coffee plantations
Biodiversity Benefits
Yes
Its fruits are visited by Amazon parrots and it offers a large number of insects in its flowers, leaves and bark for insectivorous birds. It provides an emergent shade that serves as a passage and perch for many large birds.
Citations
Citations
Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2022-06-22. tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Helicostylis+scabra;
Encyclopedia of Life. Accessed 6 July 2022. Available from http://eol.org;
Mendoza, A. L. M., & Guerrero, M. H. (2010). Catálogo de los árboles y afines de la Selva Central del Perú. Arnaldoa, 17, 203-242.