Scolopia madagascariensis (PROTA)

Plant Resources of Tropical Africa Introduction

List of species

General importance
Geographic coverage Africa
Geographic coverage World
Medicinal
Timber

Scolopia madagascariensis Sleumer

Protologue: Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 45: 14 (1938).

Family: Flacourtiaceae (APG: Salicaceae)

Origin and geographic distribution

Scolopia madagascariensis is endemic to Madagascar, where is widespread along the eastern coast.

Uses

The wood, known as ‘menavahatra’ in Madagascar, is used for heavy construction, heavy flooring, joinery, panelling, mine props, vehicle bodies and railway sleepers, and also as firewood. The fruit is eaten. A tea made from the leaves is drunk against fever.

Properties

A sample of Scolopia wood from Madagascar, possibly Scolopia madagascariensis, has been tested. The heartwood is greyish to pale brown or slightly reddish, and distinctly demarcated from the yellowish white, 3–5 cm wide sapwood. The grain is straight to interlocked, texture rather coarse. The wood is heavy, with a density of 890–950 kg/m³ at 12% moisture content, and hard. It should be air dried slowly and with care to avoid serious degrade. The rates of shrinkage are moderate to high, from green to oven dry 5.5% radial and 11.2% tangential. A board of 2.5 cm thick air dried in 3–4 months with little distortion. Once dry, the wood is rather unstable in service. At 12% moisture content, the modulus of rupture is 189 N/mm², modulus of elasticity 15,200 N/mm², compression parallel to grain 77 N/mm², shear 21 N/mm² and Chalais-Meudon side hardness 6.8–7.6. The wood is fairly easy to work and takes a good finish. It is moderately durable and rather difficult to treat with preservatives.

Description

Evergreen, small to medium-sized tree up to 25 m tall, glabrous except for the inflorescence; bole up to 60(–100) cm in diameter; bark surface nearly smooth to scaly, greyish, with longitudinal rows of lenticels, inner bark reddish. Leaves arranged spirally, simple and entire; stipules minute, caducous; petiole 0.5–1 cm long; blade elliptical to oblong-elliptical or obovate, 6–11(–14) cm × 2.5–7(–9) cm, base broadly cuneate, apex acuminate, leathery, pinnately veined with many pairs of lateral veins and with 2 distinct basal lateral veins ascending towards the upper part of the leaf. Inflorescence an axillary raceme 1–2.5(–5) cm long, minutely hairy. Flowers bisexual, regular, 4–5-merous, whitish; pedicel 3–5 mm long; sepals ovate, 1.5–2 mm long; petals similar but slightly narrower than sepals; disk small, lobed; stamens 80–100; ovary superior, glabrous, 1-celled, style 3–4 mm long, slender, stigma obscurely 3–4-lobed. Fruit a globose to ellipsoid berry 1–1.5 cm in diameter, fleshy, 2–5-seeded. Seeds rounded, flattened, c. 2 mm in diameter. Seedling with epigeal germination.

Other botanical information

Scolopia madagascariensis trees grow slowly. In an enrichment planting, trees reached on average only 1 m tall 7 years after planting. Young trees tolerate some shade. The flowering period is usually April–June.

Scolopia comprises about 40 species and occurs from tropical Africa through tropical Asia to Australia. In mainland Africa about 6 species are found, 14 in Madagascar and 1 in the Mascarene islands. The wood of some other Scolopia spp. of the rainforest of eastern Madagascar is used for similar purposes as that of Scolopia madagascariensis.

Scolopia erythrocarpa

Scolopia erythrocarpa H.Perrier is a large shrub or small tree up to 8(–15) m tall. Its wood is used for similar purposes as that of Scolopia madagascariensis. In traditional medicine its leaves are applied as a poultice against rheumatic pain. Its fruits are eaten.

Scolopia hazomby

Scolopia hazomby H.Perrier is a small to medium-sized tree up to 20 m tall. Its wood is used for similar purposes as that of Scolopia madagascariensis. It has edible fruits.

Scolopia orientalis

Scolopia orientalis Sleumer is a small tree up to 15 m tall. Its wood is used for similar purposes as that of Scolopia madagascariensis.

Scolopia heterophylla

Scolopia heterophylla (Lam.) Sleumer is a shrub or small tree up to 7(–15) m tall, endemic to Mauritius, Réunion and Rodrigues. Its wood has been used for similar purposes as that of Scolopia madagascariensis in Madagascar. In Mauritius and Réunion leaf decoctions are taken against fever. However, Scolopia heterophylla has become rare because of forest degradation.

Ecology

Scolopia madagascariensis occurs in rainforest up to 1000(–1900) m altitude, in regions with about 2500 mm annual rainfall, usually on lateritic soils.

Management

There are 25,000–33,000 seeds per kg. Fresh seeds have a high germination rate, up to 95% in 3.5–15 weeks. They can be stored in a cool locality, but lose their germination capacity after 4–6 months.

Genetic resources

Scolopia madagascariensis is widespread and although its habitat is shrinking, it is not yet listed as threatened by genetic erosion.

Prospects

The wood of Scolopia madagascariensis and some other Scolopia spp. from Madagascar is likely to remain of local importance. However, trees seem to grow too slowly to have good prospects for timber plantations.

Major references

• Blaser, J., Rajoelison, G., Tsiza, G., Rajemison, M., Rabevohitra, R., Randrianjafy, H., Razafindrianilana, N., Rakotovao, G. & Comtet, S., 1993. Choix des essences pour la sylviculture à Madagascar. Akon’ny Ala: Bulletin du Département des Eaux et Forêts 12–13. 166 pp.

• Boiteau, P., Boiteau, M. & Allorge-Boiteau, L., 1999. Dictionnaire des noms malgaches de végétaux. 4 Volumes + Index des noms scientifiques avec leurs équivalents malgaches. Editions Alzieu, Grenoble, France.

• Brown, K.A., Ingram, J.C., Flynn, D.F.B., Razafindrazaka, R. & Jeannoda, V., 2009. Protected area safeguard tree and shrub communities from degradation and invasion: a case study in eastern Madagascar. Environmental Management 44: 136–148

• Sleumer, H., 1972. A taxonomic revision of the genus Scolopia Schreb. (Flacourtiaceae). Blumea 20: 25–64.

• Styger, E., Rakotoarimanana, J.E.M., Rabevohitra, R. & Fernandes, E.C.M., 1999. Indigenous fruit trees of Madagascar: potential components of agroforestry systems to improve human nutrition and restore biological diversity. Agroforestry Systems 46(3): 289–310.

Other references

• Guéneau, P., 1971. Bois de Madagascar. Possibilités d’emploi. Centre Technique Forestier Tropical, Antananarivo, Madagascar. 75 pp.

• Gurib-Fakim, A., 2007. Medicinal plants of Mauritius and of the world. Caractère Ltd, Baie du Tombeau, Mauritius. 256 pp.

• Gurib-Fakim, A. & Brendler, T., 2004. Medicinal and aromatic plants of Indian Ocean Islands: Madagascar, Comoros, Seychelles and Mascarenes. Medpharm, Stuttgart, Germany. 568 pp.

• Gurib-Fakim, A., Guého, J. & Bissoondoyal, M.D., 1996. Plantes médicinales de Maurice, tome 2. Editions de l’Océan Indien, Rose-Hill, Mauritius. 532 pp.

• Lavergne, R., 2001. Le grand livre des tisaneurs et plantes médicinales indigènes de la Réunion. Editions Orphie, Chevagny sur Guye, France. 522 pp.

• Parant, B., Chichignoud, M. & Rakotovao, G., 1985. Présentation graphique des caractères technologiques des principaux bois tropicaux. Tome 5. Bois de Madagascar. CIRAD, Montpellier, France et Département des Recherches forestières et piscicoles du FOFIFA, Antananarivo, Madagascar. 161 pp.

• Perrier de la Bâthie, H., 1946. Flacourtiacées (Flacourtiaceae). Flore de Madagascar et des Comores (plantes vasculaires), famille 140. Imprimerie Officielle, Tananarive, Madagascar. 131 pp.

• Rakotovao, G., Rabevohitra, R., Gerard, J., Détienne, P. & Collas de Chatelperron, P., en préparation. Atlas des bois de Madagascar. FOFIFA-DRFP, Antananarivo, Madagascar.

• Sallenave, P., 1971. Propriétés physiques et mécaniques des bois tropicaux. Deuxième supplément. Centre Technique Forestier Tropical, Nogent-sur-Marne, France. 128 pp.

• Sleumer, H. & Bosser, J., 1980. Flacourtiacées. In: Bosser, J., Cadet, T., Julien, H.R. & Marais, W. (Editors). Flore des Mascareignes. Familles 31–50. The Sugar Industry Research Institute, Mauritius, l’Office de la Recherche Scientifique Outre-Mer, Paris, France & Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, United Kingdom. 26 pp.

Author(s)

• L.P.A. Oyen, PROTA Network Office Europe, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 341, 6700 AH Wageningen, Netherlands

Correct citation of this article

Oyen, L.P.A., 2012. Scolopia madagascariensis Sleumer. In: Lemmens, R.H.M.J., Louppe, D. & Oteng-Amoako, A.A. (Editors). PROTA (Plant Resources of Tropical Africa / Ressources végétales de l’Afrique tropicale), Wageningen, Netherlands. Accessed 6 April 2025.

• See the Prota4U database.