Dais glaucescens explained

Dais glaucescens, commonly called havohoa in Malagasy, is a species of flowering plant in the family Thymelaeaceae that is native to central Madagascar. It was originally described by Joseph Decaisne in the Annales des Sciences Naturelles in 1843.[1]

Description

Dais glaucescens takes the form of a shrub or small tree, growing up to 8m (26feet) tall. The trunk can be up to 25cm (10inches) in diameter.

Distribution and habitat

Dais glaucescens is native to the central areas of Madagascar. It is found in forests, usually near water, at elevations of roughly 1000m (3,000feet).

Uses

In Madagascar, the bark of Dais glaucescens is known as "havoa" and is used in the making of Antemoro paper. This practice of using the "beaten-bark technique" has been attributed to the Antemoro people as far back as 1661 by the French governor of Madagascar Étienne de Flacourt.

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 19 August 2009. Dais glaucescens Decne.. African Plants Database. Conservatoire et Jardin Botaniques Ville de Geneve.