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Useful Temperate Plants

Tetraclinis articulata

(Vahl) Mast.

Cupressaceae

+ Synonyms

Callitris articulata (Vahl) H.Karst.

Callitris macrostachya Steud.

Callitris quadrivalvis Vent. ex Rich.

Callitris triquetra Loudon

Cupressus articulata (Vahl) J.Forbes

Cupressus triquetra Jacques

Juniperus cunninghamii Carrière

Thuja articulata Vahl

Common Name:

No Image.

General Information

Tetraclinis articulata is an evergreen tree gtowing 12 - 15 metres tall[
1059
Title
A Guide to Medicinal Plants in North Africa
Publication
 
Author
 
Publisher
IUCN; Malaga, Spain
Year
2005
ISBN
2-8317-0893-1
Description
A guide to over 100 species of medicinal herbs in N. Africa.
].
The tree is harvested from the wild on a commercial basis for its wood and also for the resin from its trunk, which is often exported. It also has a range of medicinal uses.
Although the small subpopulations in Malta and Spain are highly threatened, and there is some evidence of decline in the main parts of its range, the species does have an extensive distribution in North Africa. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[
338
Title
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.iucnredlist.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].

Known Hazards

The heartwood of this species is known to contain several dermatologically active compounds including thymoquinone, carvacrol, s well as beta and gamma thujaplicins[
407
Title
BoDD (Botanical Dermatology Database)
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://bodd.cf.ac.uk/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Brief notes on a very wide range of plants that have reports of causing harm to the skin.
].

Botanical References


Range

Mediterranean - southern Spain, Malta, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya

Habitat

Forms extensive open woodlands at elevations from sea level to 1,800 metres[
338
Title
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.iucnredlist.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
]. Sometimes in rock fissures and on rocky slopes[
1059
Title
A Guide to Medicinal Plants in North Africa
Publication
 
Author
 
Publisher
IUCN; Malaga, Spain
Year
2005
ISBN
2-8317-0893-1
Description
A guide to over 100 species of medicinal herbs in N. Africa.
].

Properties

Conservation StatusLeast Concern
Medicinal Rating *  *  *
Other Uses Rating *  *  *  *
HabitEvergreen Tree
Height12.00 m
PollinatorsWind
Cultivation StatusOrnamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Tetraclinis articulata is a native of the Mediterranean region with its hot dry summers and cooler, moist to wet winters. In most parts of its range annual precipitation ranges from 300 - 500mm[
338
Title
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.iucnredlist.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
]. The tree does not grow well in moister climates, or in regions with cold winters.
Requires a sunny position[
1059
Title
A Guide to Medicinal Plants in North Africa
Publication
 
Author
 
Publisher
IUCN; Malaga, Spain
Year
2005
ISBN
2-8317-0893-1
Description
A guide to over 100 species of medicinal herbs in N. Africa.
]. Succeeds in somewhat saline soils[
1059
Title
A Guide to Medicinal Plants in North Africa
Publication
 
Author
 
Publisher
IUCN; Malaga, Spain
Year
2005
ISBN
2-8317-0893-1
Description
A guide to over 100 species of medicinal herbs in N. Africa.
]. Established plants are very drought tolerant[
1059
Title
A Guide to Medicinal Plants in North Africa
Publication
 
Author
 
Publisher
IUCN; Malaga, Spain
Year
2005
ISBN
2-8317-0893-1
Description
A guide to over 100 species of medicinal herbs in N. Africa.
].
Nlike many conifers, this species can respond positively to coppicing - indeed it can survive forest fires by this method[
338
Title
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.iucnredlist.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

A decoction of the leaves is abortifacient[
1059
Title
A Guide to Medicinal Plants in North Africa
Publication
 
Author
 
Publisher
IUCN; Malaga, Spain
Year
2005
ISBN
2-8317-0893-1
Description
A guide to over 100 species of medicinal herbs in N. Africa.
].
A decoction of the leaves and cones, combined with skim milk, is used as an expectorant, and also as an emetic in the treatment of intoxication, and also to treat severe diarrhoea and gastric pains[
1059
Title
A Guide to Medicinal Plants in North Africa
Publication
 
Author
 
Publisher
IUCN; Malaga, Spain
Year
2005
ISBN
2-8317-0893-1
Description
A guide to over 100 species of medicinal herbs in N. Africa.
].
The crushed leaves are applied as poultices on both sides or on the top of the head as a remedy for dizziness, headache, neck pain, insolation and fever of children[
1059
Title
A Guide to Medicinal Plants in North Africa
Publication
 
Author
 
Publisher
IUCN; Malaga, Spain
Year
2005
ISBN
2-8317-0893-1
Description
A guide to over 100 species of medicinal herbs in N. Africa.
].
The dried and powdered leaves are applied topically as a healing dressing on wounds or the umbilical wound of the newborn baby[
1059
Title
A Guide to Medicinal Plants in North Africa
Publication
 
Author
 
Publisher
IUCN; Malaga, Spain
Year
2005
ISBN
2-8317-0893-1
Description
A guide to over 100 species of medicinal herbs in N. Africa.
].

The plant has been reportly used in the treatment of diabetes[
1059
Title
A Guide to Medicinal Plants in North Africa
Publication
 
Author
 
Publisher
IUCN; Malaga, Spain
Year
2005
ISBN
2-8317-0893-1
Description
A guide to over 100 species of medicinal herbs in N. Africa.
].

The resin is anthelmintic, antimicrobial, stimulant[
61
Title
A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man.
Publication
 
Author
Usher. G.
Publisher
Constable
Year
1974
ISBN
0094579202
Description
Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.
,
1059
Title
A Guide to Medicinal Plants in North Africa
Publication
 
Author
 
Publisher
IUCN; Malaga, Spain
Year
2005
ISBN
2-8317-0893-1
Description
A guide to over 100 species of medicinal herbs in N. Africa.
]. It is taken internally to rid the body of roundworms and tapeworms[
1059
Title
A Guide to Medicinal Plants in North Africa
Publication
 
Author
 
Publisher
IUCN; Malaga, Spain
Year
2005
ISBN
2-8317-0893-1
Description
A guide to over 100 species of medicinal herbs in N. Africa.
]. It is also said to be used in the treatment of haemorrhoids and diarrhoea[
64
Title
Vegetable Gums and Resins.
Publication
 
Author
Howes. F. N.
Publisher
Faber
Year
 
ISBN
81-88818-17-8
Description
A very good book dealing with the subject in a readable way.
,
1059
Title
A Guide to Medicinal Plants in North Africa
Publication
 
Author
 
Publisher
IUCN; Malaga, Spain
Year
2005
ISBN
2-8317-0893-1
Description
A guide to over 100 species of medicinal herbs in N. Africa.
].
One piece of sandarac resin, humidified with rose water, is applied to the eyelid to ease inflammation of the eyes[
1059
Title
A Guide to Medicinal Plants in North Africa
Publication
 
Author
 
Publisher
IUCN; Malaga, Spain
Year
2005
ISBN
2-8317-0893-1
Description
A guide to over 100 species of medicinal herbs in N. Africa.
].
The resin is burned and the smoke inhaled as a treatment for colds[
1059
Title
A Guide to Medicinal Plants in North Africa
Publication
 
Author
 
Publisher
IUCN; Malaga, Spain
Year
2005
ISBN
2-8317-0893-1
Description
A guide to over 100 species of medicinal herbs in N. Africa.
]. Sandarac is and the tincture for friction in cases of low spirits[
1059
Title
A Guide to Medicinal Plants in North Africa
Publication
 
Author
 
Publisher
IUCN; Malaga, Spain
Year
2005
ISBN
2-8317-0893-1
Description
A guide to over 100 species of medicinal herbs in N. Africa.
].
When used as an incense in the evening, the balsamic, frankincense-like fragrance of the resin is said to relax, calm and ease tension. It is said to be helpful in cases of insomnia caused by tension or stress[
1059
Title
A Guide to Medicinal Plants in North Africa
Publication
 
Author
 
Publisher
IUCN; Malaga, Spain
Year
2005
ISBN
2-8317-0893-1
Description
A guide to over 100 species of medicinal herbs in N. Africa.
].

The plant contains the flavones amentoflavone, cupressuflavone and kinokiflavone[
1059
Title
A Guide to Medicinal Plants in North Africa
Publication
 
Author
 
Publisher
IUCN; Malaga, Spain
Year
2005
ISBN
2-8317-0893-1
Description
A guide to over 100 species of medicinal herbs in N. Africa.
].
The stems yield 0.25 - 0.80% of an essential oil - this contains bornyle acetate (30.5%), camphor (18.6%), borneol (10.2 %), limonene (8.6 %), terpene-1-ol-4 (5.8%) and thuyone (less than 1 %)[
1059
Title
A Guide to Medicinal Plants in North Africa
Publication
 
Author
 
Publisher
IUCN; Malaga, Spain
Year
2005
ISBN
2-8317-0893-1
Description
A guide to over 100 species of medicinal herbs in N. Africa.
].
The wood yields 2% essential oil - this contains carvacrol (28%), p-methoxythymol (22.1%), thymohydroquinone (16.1%), cedrol (7.2%), terpene-1ol-4 (5.4%), alpha-pinene (3.8%), and alpha-cedrene (3.6%). This essential oil is a potential commercial source of carvacrol[
1059
Title
A Guide to Medicinal Plants in North Africa
Publication
 
Author
 
Publisher
IUCN; Malaga, Spain
Year
2005
ISBN
2-8317-0893-1
Description
A guide to over 100 species of medicinal herbs in N. Africa.
]
The resin contains chlorhexidine which has been shown to have antimicrobial activity. When used as a dental filling, the resin has been shown to exert a long-term suppression of Streptococcus mutans in dental fissures[
1059
Title
A Guide to Medicinal Plants in North Africa
Publication
 
Author
 
Publisher
IUCN; Malaga, Spain
Year
2005
ISBN
2-8317-0893-1
Description
A guide to over 100 species of medicinal herbs in N. Africa.
].
An essential oil extracted from the plant has been shown to be effective in inducing apoptosis in human melanoma, breast and ovarian cancer cell lines. All cell lines tested were inhibited in a dose-dependent fashion. It was concluded that the essential oil contains components that are effective at inducing apoptosis[
1059
Title
A Guide to Medicinal Plants in North Africa
Publication
 
Author
 
Publisher
IUCN; Malaga, Spain
Year
2005
ISBN
2-8317-0893-1
Description
A guide to over 100 species of medicinal herbs in N. Africa.
].
The heartwood of this species was reported to contain several dermatologically active compounds including thymoquinone, carvacrol, and beta- and gamma-thujaplicins[
1059
Title
A Guide to Medicinal Plants in North Africa
Publication
 
Author
 
Publisher
IUCN; Malaga, Spain
Year
2005
ISBN
2-8317-0893-1
Description
A guide to over 100 species of medicinal herbs in N. Africa.
].

Agroforestry Uses:

An excellent tree for afforesting rocky slopes in semi-arid areas[
1059
Title
A Guide to Medicinal Plants in North Africa
Publication
 
Author
 
Publisher
IUCN; Malaga, Spain
Year
2005
ISBN
2-8317-0893-1
Description
A guide to over 100 species of medicinal herbs in N. Africa.
].

Other Uses

A resin, known as 'Sandarac' is obtained from the trunk[
61
Title
A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man.
Publication
 
Author
Usher. G.
Publisher
Constable
Year
1974
ISBN
0094579202
Description
Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.
]. It is used to make a fine varnish for preserving paintings, lacquers, coating paper and metal, bookbinding and in dental cements[
61
Title
A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man.
Publication
 
Author
Usher. G.
Publisher
Constable
Year
1974
ISBN
0094579202
Description
Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.
]. It is said that the best quality varnishes are produced by dissolving sandarac resin into turpentine[
1059
Title
A Guide to Medicinal Plants in North Africa
Publication
 
Author
 
Publisher
IUCN; Malaga, Spain
Year
2005
ISBN
2-8317-0893-1
Description
A guide to over 100 species of medicinal herbs in N. Africa.
].
Both the wood and the extracted resin can be burnt as an incense[
61
Title
A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man.
Publication
 
Author
Usher. G.
Publisher
Constable
Year
1974
ISBN
0094579202
Description
Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.
,
1059
Title
A Guide to Medicinal Plants in North Africa
Publication
 
Author
 
Publisher
IUCN; Malaga, Spain
Year
2005
ISBN
2-8317-0893-1
Description
A guide to over 100 species of medicinal herbs in N. Africa.
].
The resin exudes spontaneously from the trunk and branches, and also from incisions made through the bark in the trunk and branches. It quickly solidifies when exposed to air. The hardened resin can be then harvested by peeling it from the trees[
1059
Title
A Guide to Medicinal Plants in North Africa
Publication
 
Author
 
Publisher
IUCN; Malaga, Spain
Year
2005
ISBN
2-8317-0893-1
Description
A guide to over 100 species of medicinal herbs in N. Africa.
].

An essential oil can be obtained by steam distillation of the resin, or by dissolving the resin in a solution of potassium hydroxide[
1059
Title
A Guide to Medicinal Plants in North Africa
Publication
 
Author
 
Publisher
IUCN; Malaga, Spain
Year
2005
ISBN
2-8317-0893-1
Description
A guide to over 100 species of medicinal herbs in N. Africa.
]. Sandarac oil is pale yellow or almost colourless and has a slightly balsamic odour[
1059
Title
A Guide to Medicinal Plants in North Africa
Publication
 
Author
 
Publisher
IUCN; Malaga, Spain
Year
2005
ISBN
2-8317-0893-1
Description
A guide to over 100 species of medicinal herbs in N. Africa.
].

The leaves of this plant, combined with henna leaves (Lawsonia inermis) are powdered and kneaded with water to make a hair tonic for external application[
407
Title
BoDD (Botanical Dermatology Database)
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://bodd.cf.ac.uk/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Brief notes on a very wide range of plants that have reports of causing harm to the skin.
]. It is applied about 1 hour before washing the hair[
1059
Title
A Guide to Medicinal Plants in North Africa
Publication
 
Author
 
Publisher
IUCN; Malaga, Spain
Year
2005
ISBN
2-8317-0893-1
Description
A guide to over 100 species of medicinal herbs in N. Africa.
].

A tar oil extracted by destructive distillation of the wood is known as 'Gatran el Ghalid' (thick tar). It is mainly used in the treatment of wounds, especially in livestock[
1059
Title
A Guide to Medicinal Plants in North Africa
Publication
 
Author
 
Publisher
IUCN; Malaga, Spain
Year
2005
ISBN
2-8317-0893-1
Description
A guide to over 100 species of medicinal herbs in N. Africa.
].

The dark, fragrant wood is valued by cabinet makers for furniture etc[
64
Title
Vegetable Gums and Resins.
Publication
 
Author
Howes. F. N.
Publisher
Faber
Year
 
ISBN
81-88818-17-8
Description
A very good book dealing with the subject in a readable way.
], and is also used for house and bridge building[
61
Title
A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man.
Publication
 
Author
Usher. G.
Publisher
Constable
Year
1974
ISBN
0094579202
Description
Forget the sexist title, this is one of the best books on the subject. Lists a very extensive range of useful plants from around the world with very brief details of the uses. Not for the casual reader.
].
The burls that are formed after repeated coppicing are particularly valued for craftwork[
338
Title
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.iucnredlist.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
]. The fragrant and beautiful, sweet-smelling root wood is a golden reddish brown with heavy small dark 'eyes'. It is hard, heavy, oily and aromatic. It turns well and take a high shine. This burl wood is amazingly hard and polishes up like glass. It is
stable and works very well[
1059
Title
A Guide to Medicinal Plants in North Africa
Publication
 
Author
 
Publisher
IUCN; Malaga, Spain
Year
2005
ISBN
2-8317-0893-1
Description
A guide to over 100 species of medicinal herbs in N. Africa.
]. It is used to make unique and beautiful handcrafted items, such as jewelry boxes, trays, tables, desktop item, pens... All said to be treasured for a lifetime. Just dip a piece of cotton cloth in vegetable oil and wipe the wood to make it shine again like new[
1059
Title
A Guide to Medicinal Plants in North Africa
Publication
 
Author
 
Publisher
IUCN; Malaga, Spain
Year
2005
ISBN
2-8317-0893-1
Description
A guide to over 100 species of medicinal herbs in N. Africa.
].
The wood is used for fuel[
1059
Title
A Guide to Medicinal Plants in North Africa
Publication
 
Author
 
Publisher
IUCN; Malaga, Spain
Year
2005
ISBN
2-8317-0893-1
Description
A guide to over 100 species of medicinal herbs in N. Africa.
].

Propagation

Seed -
Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2024-03-29. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Tetraclinis+articulata>

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