Antiaris toxicaria

Upasbaum ( Antiaris toxicaria )

The Upasbaum ( Antiaris toxicaria ) is the only species of the genus Antiaris within the family of the mulberry family ( Moraceae ). Other common names are Javanese poison tree, tree Borneo, Java poison tree or Ipobaum.

Description

The Upasbaum grow as evergreen tree, reaching heights of growth of up to 40 meters. The bark is whitish- gray. The arranged alternate and distichous, simple leaves are elliptical with a length of up to 20 centimeters and a width of about 6 inches. The flowering time is in March and April. Antiaris toxicaria is einhäugig getrenntgeschlechtig ( monoecious ). The unisexual flowers are inconspicuous.

Occurrence

Antiaris toxicaria occurs in the tropics of Asia, so, especially in Southern India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Malaysia, Indonesia and southern China. There are several subspecies occurring in Africa and Australia.

Use

The milky juice of Antiaris toxicaria is highly toxic and served in Southeast Asia as an arrow poison. The occurring in the milk juice of two glycosides lead to cardiac arrest. The toxicity of the tree has been the subject of legends, according to which the tree is so poisonous that birds verstürben the mere flying over. It has also been claimed that people who approached a flowering tree, had been killed.

The Upasbaum also serves to logging. In addition, the bast for bags and clothes are used.

System

Antiaris toxicaria was published in 1810 by Jean -Baptiste Leschenault de La Tour in Annales du Muséum National d' Histoire Naturelle, Vol 16, p 478, Plate 22. Antiaris toxicaria is the only species of the genus in the tribe Antiaris Castilleae within the family Moraceae.