Tree Species (Scientific Name)
Sapium marmieri
Lumber
Medicinal
Product
Peru Common Name
Shiringa arana, Caucho masha, Palo leche
Tree Family
Euphorbiaceae
Average Leaf Size (cm)
11.5cm
Length
×
6cm
Width
Tree Height
Small (10–20m)
Elevational Range (m)
300–600m
Distribution
Native
Exotic
Native to Peru
Native to
Region
Americas
Latin America
Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru
Coffee Agroforestry Information
Coffee System
Arabica
Coffee Impact
Beneficial to coffee
Prevalence
Common in Coffee Agroforestry
Cultivation
Planted
Natural
Tree Management
The latex is poisonous. Has a low incidence of pests.
Tree Benefits and Uses
Farmer Uses
- Lumber
- Medicinal
- Product
It is moderately easy to work with and used for purposes such as moldings, furniture, veneers and plywood, also in drawers and pulp for paper. Latex can be used to produce lower quality rubber. The abundant milky sap is very poisonous. Known as 'Gaucho Mashan', it is used as a powerful purgative. It is taken orally, usually by mixing a small amount in water.
Farm Services
- Coffee Shade
- Soil Improvement
Coffee Shade: provides sparse shade.
Soil Improvement: total leaf fall occurs in dry season which provides nutrients to the soil
Soil Improvement: total leaf fall occurs in dry season which provides nutrients to the soil
Biodiversity Benefits
Yes
It houses insects in leaves and bark that are consumed by insectivorous birds.
Citations
Citations
Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2022-06-23. tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Sapium+marmieri;
Mendoza, A. L. M., & Guerrero, M. H. (2010). Catálogo de los árboles y afines de la Selva Central del Perú. Arnaldoa, 17, 203-242.