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It commonly grows along beaches, providing an effective line of
shelter. The blunt-tipped leaves are remarkably shiny and their
lateral veins are so close they virtually touch one another. In
summer it produces sprays of highly scented white flowers about 1 in
(25 mm) in diameter, followed by 1 1/2 in (35 mm) long yellow-brown
fruit.
Cultivation: Only one species is widely grown in the tropics, valued
as a shade tree and for sea-front planting.Propagate from seed or
cuttings.
Medical use : Oil seed used for illumination and medicine, mixed
with coconut oil to give tongan oil for massage. Use as hair
tonic/alopecia. In Indonesia,cures scable: kudis. Seed as analgesic
and emetic. Bark used as analgesic, emollient, diuretic, laxative,
emetic, depurative and antispasmodic.
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