Herb: Ribbonwood


Latin name: Hoheria sexstylosa


Synonyms: Hoheria lanceolata, Hoheria populnea lanceolata


Family: Malvaceae (Mallow Family)



Edible parts of Ribbonwood:

Inner bark. A famine food, it is only used in times of scarcity. No more details are given but inner bark is often dried, ground into a powder and then used as a thickening in soups etc or mixed with cereals when making bread.

Description of the plant:



Plant:
Evergreen
Tree

Height:
8 m
(26 feet)

Flowering:
July to
August

Habitat of the herb:

Lowland to lower montane forests, especially marginally, in North and South Islands from latitude 36° 30' and southwards.

Other uses of Ribbonwood:

The uses listed below have been given for the closely related H. populnea. They can quite possibly also be applied to this species. A very strong fibre is obtained from the inner bark. It is used for ropes, cord etc. The fibre is also used as ornamentation in basket making and for bonnets etc. Wood - white, very tough. Used by cabinet makers, it also makes an excellent fuel.

Propagation of the herb:

Seed - sow autumn in a greenhouse. It usually germinates freely. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, 7 - 10cm with a heel, July/August in a shady position in a frame. The cuttings should be put in 12cm pots. A fair to good percentage. Layering in April. Takes 12 months.

Cultivation of Ribbonwood:

Lowland to lower montane forests, especially marginally, in North and South Islands from latitude 36° 30' and southwards.

Medicinal use of the herb:

None known

Known hazards of Hoheria sexstylosa:

None known

Plant information taken from the Plants For A Future.