Trumpet Tree, Snakewood, Congo pump, Wild pawpaw, Pop-a-gun

Cecropia peltata

Physical Characteristics

Cecropia peltata is an evergreen Tree growing to 20 m (65ft) by 18 m (59ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. The plant is not self-fertile. It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil and can tolerate drought.

Distribution

S. America - Brazil and Colombia, north through Central America to Mexico and the Caribbean.

Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers Fruit Leaves Edible Uses: The fruit is eaten raw, it has a sweet, jelly-like flesh[ 307 ]. The fleshy, finger-shaped fruit is 10 - 12cm long[ 200 ]. The young buds are occasionally eaten as a pot herb[ 46 , 301 ]. The report does not specify if it is the flower or the leaf buds[ K ]. The young leaves and flowers are used in broth.

Medicinal Uses

Antiasthmatic Anticoagulant Antiinflammatory Antitumor Astringent Cardiotonic Diuretic Dysentery Hypotensive Kidney Skin Vasodilator The bark and leaves are anticoagulant, antiinflammatory, antitumor, astringent, cardiotonic, diuretic, hypotensive and vasodilator[ 348 ]. A decoction of the young leaves is used to treat liver ailments and dropsy[ 46 ]. A tea or decoction of the dried leaves or inner stem-bark is used to treat hypertension, Bright's disease, blennorrhagia, albuminuria, kidney infections, heart conditions and nervous diseases, and to promote good kidney function[ 348 ]. A tea prepared from the dried leaves is used as a treatment for back pain[ 348 ]. An infusion of the leaves is sometimes injected vaginally after childbirth[ 348 ]. A hot poultice of the young shoots is used as a dressing for ulcers, abscesses, wounds, cuts and bush sores[ 348 ]. The dried leaves are smoked to alleviate asthma[ 307 ]. The juice of the plant is used as a caustic to remove warts[ 46 ]. The sap is used to treat fresh cuts[ 348 ]. A decoction of the inner bark is used in the treatment of dysentery[ 348 ].

Known Hazards

The branches and leaf petioles of Cecropia species are often hollow and can harbour stinging ants. The trees attract the ants by means of producing a honey-like sap and the ants respond by working to keep the tree free of leaf-eating pests - which can include humans[ 318 ].