Jequie manicoba, Manihot rubber tree
Manihot dichotoma
Family: Euphorbiaceae
What it is like
Manihot dichotoma is an evergreen Tree growing to 5 m (16ft) by 3.5 m (11ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.
Height (m): 5
Where it is found
Not known
S. America - Brazil.
Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Angola, Asia, Brazil*, Central Africa, East Africa, Hawaii, India, Kenya, Mozambique, South Africa, West Africa, Zimbabwe
How it is used
Food
Rating: 0
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating: 1
A latex obtained from the trunk is the source of Jequie rubber, or Mule gum. The plant has no place as a rubber producer. Native of Brazil, rather widely cultivated as a rubber plant in Tropical Africa. A good hydrocarbon industrial crop.
Industrial Crop: Hydrocarbon: Materials, chemicals and energy include bioplastics, rubber, biomass products gasoline, jet fuel, diesel, butane, propane, biogas. Plants are usually resprouting plants and saps.
Management: Standard: Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.
Regional Crop: These crops have been domesticated and cultivated regionally but have not been adopted elsewhere and are typically not traded globally, Examples in this broad category include perennial cottons and many nuts and staple fruits.
Industrial Crop: Hydrocarbon: Materials, chemicals and energy include bioplastics, rubber, biomass products gasoline, jet fuel, diesel, butane, propane, biogas. Plants are usually resprouting plants and saps.
Management: Standard: Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.
Regional Crop: These crops have been domesticated and cultivated regionally but have not been adopted elsewhere and are typically not traded globally, Examples in this broad category include perennial cottons and many nuts and staple fruits.
Carbon Farming: Plants that can be a critical part of the solution to climate problems. The Carbon Farming Solution - Eric Toensmeier.
How it is grown
Humid Tropics
Propagating it: Seed
Best place to grow:
Habit: Tree
Hardiness: 10-12
Growth: Fast
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Dry, moist
Things to keep in mind
Its other names
Local names
Tequie manicoba, Jequié Rubber or Jequié Maniçoba.
Synonyms
Manihot preciosa Schindler