Pemphis acidula is an evergreen shrub or densely branching small tree usually growing from 0.6 - 8 metres tall, occasionally up to 11 metres.
The bole is usually gnarled and much-branched.
Occasionally the plant is a dwarf creeping shrublet only 15 cm high.
The tree is sometimes harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of timber. The wood is potentially of very good quality, but because of its small size and the poor form of the bole, as well as its limited supply, the wood is only used on a small and local scale.
The plant is sometimes grown as an ornamental - there is a significant trade in seeds and live plants, especially in Asia, for growing it as a bonsai.
This is a common species in certain areas, and it is widespread. In the Pacific Islands, the population is considered stable. However, this species has experienced population declines in some regions due to habitat loss and the collection for use in the bonsai trade. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013).

Known Hazards

None

Habitat

Sandy shores, at or even below high-water mark, inlets in mangrove forests, coral-rag thicket; in areas exposed to salt spray and the drier sides of swamps.
Coastal limestone rocks, cliffs, and on limestone bedrock outcrops on atolls.

Cultivation Status

Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

This species is beneficial for shoreline protection against high wind. It is a very sturdy and resilient plant, however, it will not grow anywhere other than the appropriate habitat type.
The tree has the ability to grow fast and can generate new roots and buds very quickly.
Plants usually start flowering and producing seed when about 1 - 4 metres tall.

Edible Uses

The thick, fleshy leaves are used as a pot herb in Asia.
The acid tasting leaves are eaten raw or boiled as a vegetable.
The fruits are sometimes eaten.

Medicinal

An infusion of the sap plus a handful of bark has been drunk as an abortifacient.
A filtered infusion of the bark is used as an abortifacient.
The bark is used to treat stomatitis.
The bark contains 19 - 43% tannin.
In-vitro tests of the bark showed an increased activity on the amplitude and frequency of uterine contractions, which confirms the traditional use in Vanuata as an abortifacient.
Bark extracts were found to have antibacterial, antioxidant and topoisomerase I inhibitor activities.
Four galloyl flavonol glycosides with antioxidant activity have been isolated from leaf extracts.

Agroforestry Uses

None Recorded

Other Uses

Along the East African coast the bark has been used for tanning.
The bark contains 19 - 43% tannin.
The rotting wood, mixed with coconut oil, is used as a cosmetic.
The scraped bark yields a red dye.
The heartwood is reddish brown to dark reddish brown, turning dark brown upon exposure; it is clearly differentiated from the about 1cm wide band of pale sapwood. The grain is interlocked; texture very fine; the wood lustrous. The wood is very heavy; very hard; very strong; and very durable, being resistant to dry-wood termite and Lyctus attacks. It air dries well with little checking and warping. The rates of shrinkage upon air drying are moderate. It is very difficult to work, difficult to split, but with care it takes a high finish and is easily polished. The extremely hard and durable wood is much used traditionally for a range of smaller items including house posts, fence posts, tool handles, digging sticks, walking-sticks, domestic implements, turnery, anchors, boat nails, thatching needles, pestles and mortars, drums.
The wood is used for fuel and charcoal production.
A preferred fuel, it burns with a very hot flame.

Propagation

Seed