The name Debregeasia edulis (treated here as a synonym of Oreocnide frutescens (Thunb.) Miq.), appears to have been misapplied to Debregeasia velutina (which itself is now viewed as a synonym of Debregeasia longifolia (Burm.f.) Wedd.) by most authors since Weddell in 1859[]. Some of the reports here were listed under Debregeasia edulis and are likely to more correctly refer to Debregeasia longifolia. The reports in question are clearly marked in the text below[].

Common Name: Wild Rhea

General Information

Debregeasia longifolia is an evergreen shrub or small tree with slender stems; it can grow from 2 - 7 metres tall[].
The plant is gathered from the wild, mainly for the high quality fibre obtained from the barkbut also as a food and medicine. It is planted in reforestation projects in Thailand[].
Debregeasia longifolia has a very wide distribution, large population, is not currently experiencing any major threats and no significant future threats have been identified. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2019)[].

Known Hazards

Unlike many species in the nettle family (Urticaceae), members of this genus do not have stinging hairs[].

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - China, Indian subcontinent, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines

Habitat

Mainly found on old cultivated land; at elevations up to 2,100 metres in the Himalayas[]. Moist places, especially in forests, along river-margins and on well-watered mountain sides; at elevations from 200 - 2,500 metresl[, ].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	5.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Debregeasia longifolia is a plant of low to moderate elevations in the tropics and subtropics. Plants can tolerate occasional, short-lived lows to about -5°c and can be grown outdoors in the milder regions of the temperate zome[].
Prefers a fertile well-drained loam with some shelter at the hottest part of the day[].
A very variable species[].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms must be grown if seed and fruit is required.

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[, , ]. The reddish or yellowish orange fruit is up to 12mm in diameter[, ].

The following entry was listed under Debregeasia edulis, but probably should apply here instead
Fruit - raw[]. The yellow fruits are pleasantly sweet, their flavour is said to resemble strawberries[, , ].

Medicinal

The juice of the leaves is applied to areas of the skin affected by scabies[].

The following entry was listed under Debregeasia edulis, but probably should apply here instead
A decoction of the leaves and/or the fruits is sudorific[]. The leaves are decocted with Pterocarya spp and used in the treatment of itch[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The tree is planted as a pioneer species in northern Thailand in reforestation projects to restore native woodland - it is planted in degraded woodland and open areas in a mix with various other species that all have the ability to grow fast; produce dense, weed-suppressing crowns; and attract seed-dispersing wildlife, particularly birds and bats[].

Other Uses

A strong fibre is obtained from the stem bark[]. Of high quality[]. It is used for making twine and rope[, ].

Wood is used mainly for fuel[].

Propagation

Seed - sow late winter to mid-summer in a greenhouse and only just cover the seed. Germination usually takes place within 1 - 2 months at 20°c[]. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Softwood cuttings in early summer[].