Guttapercha Tree IMG_0252
On the road back from Bradshaw station with Ruth and David.
Guttapercha, Excoecaria parvifolia.
Extract from Cowie et al (2000)
A genus of c 40 species occurring in tropical Africa and Asia. Four species in Australia, three in NT. The caustic latex of all species is harmful, especially to the eyes. Some species have been referred to as 'Blind your eyes' (Everist, 1979).
E.parvifolia
Semi-deciduous trees to 7m tall. Bark dark grey, fissured. Leaves clustered on short lateral shoots; petioles 1-8 mm long; blades oblanceolate, obovate or narrowly elliptical, 1.5-4.7 cm long, 0.4-2.2 cm wide
Ruth discussed its continuing use in medicinal properties from an article, given at the Australian Mining History Association Conference at Greymouth New Zealand July 2010
"From Plants to Miners’ Hats and Magnetic Exploders"
by Ann Both, whose abstract says that William Montgomerie in 1843 recommended its use in surgery. This was a Malayan tree (then) named Palaquium gutta.
Dorland's medical dictionary says "gutta-percha: the coagulated latex of a number of trees of the family Sapotaceae; used as a dental cement and in splints."
A history of Guttapercha may be found at
www.bouncing-balls.com/serendipity/gutta.htm
Wikipedia gives a quick story of its uses
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gutta-percha
(The name as Ruth thought comes from the Malay.)
Thought to have been introduced in England by
Guttapercha Tree IMG_0252
On the road back from Bradshaw station with Ruth and David.
Guttapercha, Excoecaria parvifolia.
Extract from Cowie et al (2000)
A genus of c 40 species occurring in tropical Africa and Asia. Four species in Australia, three in NT. The caustic latex of all species is harmful, especially to the eyes. Some species have been referred to as 'Blind your eyes' (Everist, 1979).
E.parvifolia
Semi-deciduous trees to 7m tall. Bark dark grey, fissured. Leaves clustered on short lateral shoots; petioles 1-8 mm long; blades oblanceolate, obovate or narrowly elliptical, 1.5-4.7 cm long, 0.4-2.2 cm wide
Ruth discussed its continuing use in medicinal properties from an article, given at the Australian Mining History Association Conference at Greymouth New Zealand July 2010
"From Plants to Miners’ Hats and Magnetic Exploders"
by Ann Both, whose abstract says that William Montgomerie in 1843 recommended its use in surgery. This was a Malayan tree (then) named Palaquium gutta.
Dorland's medical dictionary says "gutta-percha: the coagulated latex of a number of trees of the family Sapotaceae; used as a dental cement and in splints."
A history of Guttapercha may be found at
www.bouncing-balls.com/serendipity/gutta.htm
Wikipedia gives a quick story of its uses
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gutta-percha
(The name as Ruth thought comes from the Malay.)
Thought to have been introduced in England by