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Description
Sloanea is a genus of trees and shrubs that belongs to the family Elaeocarpaceae. It includes around 200 species that are mainly found in tropical regions of the Americas, Asia, and Africa. The genus was named after Sir Hans Sloane, an Irish physician and naturalist. Sloanea trees have a variety of uses, including timber, medicine, and ornamental purposes.
Taxonomic Information
| Domain | Eukaryota || Kingdom | Plantae || Phylum | Tracheophyta || Class | Magnoliopsida || Order | Oxalidales || Family | Elaeocarpaceae || Genus | Sloanea |
Appearance
Sloanea trees can reach heights of up to 30 meters and have a straight trunk with a diameter of up to 1 meter. The bark is usually grayish-brown and smooth. The leaves are alternate and have a simple, elliptic shape with a pointed tip. They are usually around 5-15 centimeters long and have a glossy texture. The flowers are small, white, and have a sweet fragrance. The fruit is a woody capsule that contains several seeds.
Care Guide
Sloanea trees prefer a well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. They require regular watering, especially during the dry season, but do not tolerate water-logged soil. Sloanea trees also require regular fertilization with a balanced fertilizer. They thrive in full sun to partial shade and are hardy in USDA zones 9-11.
Common Pests & Diseases
Sloanea trees are generally resistant to pests and diseases. However, they can be susceptible to root rot if the soil is too wet. They may also be affected by caterpillars, scale insects, and spider mites.
Habitat
Sloanea trees are found in tropical regions of the Americas, Asia, and Africa. They grow in a variety of habitats, including rainforests, cloud forests, and savannas.
Question and Answer
Q: What is the common name for Sloanea?
A: Sloanea is commonly known as the mucilage tree.
Q: What is the medicinal use of Sloanea?
A: Sloanea is used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments, including fever, diarrhea, and snakebites.
Q: Can Sloanea trees be grown in containers?
A: Sloanea trees are not well-suited to container gardening as they require a large amount of space to grow.
Q: Are Sloanea trees endangered?
A: Some species of Sloanea are considered endangered due to habitat loss and overexploitation.
Related Plants
– Elaeocarpus- Aristotelia- Lecythis- Syzygium
References
– “Sloanea.” Flora of China, efloras.org.- “Sloanea.” The Plant List, theplantlist.org.- “Sloanea.” World Checklist of Selected Plant Families, wcsp.science.kew.org.
