Guazuma ulmifolia - Plant

Guazuma ulmifolia, commonly known as West Indian elm or bay cedar, is a medium sized tree normally found in pastures and disturbed forests. This flowering plant from the Malvaceae family grows up to 30m in height and 30–40 cm in diamete

Common name: West Indian elm
Color: Pale yellow
Bloom time: Seasonal bloomer
Height: 30.00 to 60.00 feet
Difficulty level: easy to grow

Planting & Care
It is native to tropical areas in the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America and South America. Oblique, acuminate, hairy, ovate to lance-shaped leaves (2-4" long) are scabrous above and velvety below.
Leaves are evergreen, except some leaf drop normally occurs in climates with dry seasons. Tiny, mildly fragrant, pale yellow flowers (to 1/4" diameter) appear in many-flowered, axillary or terminal cymes.

Sunlight: Full Sun to Partial Shade

Soil: well-drained soil

Water: medium

Temprature: 24 deg.

Fertilizer: Apply any organic fertilizer

Care:

• Flowers are followed by blackish, warty, rounded to oblong fruit capsules (each to 1 1/2" long) which resemble mulberries.
• Fruits contain a very small amount of edible pulp.

Special Feature:
Shade tree for landscapes. In native habitats, practical uses include (1) wood is used for a variety of purposes including posts, crates, construction, and carpentry, (2) foliage is a fodder source for livestock, (3) medicinal applications for treatment of a wide variety of medical impairments and (4) seeds are edible.
Use
Medicinal use:

• A beverage of crushed seeds soaked in water is used to treat diarrhea, dysentery, colds, coughs, contusions, and venereal disease.
• It is also used as a diuretic and astringent.

Culinary use:

• leaves

Ornamental use:

• The plant is used for ornamental purpose.

Note:
for medicinal use, please consult appropriate doctor before use.

Reference:
http://www.missouribotanicalgarden.org/PlantFinder/PlantFinderDetails.aspx?taxonid=287260&isprofile=0&