Paradise Tree/Sorgam Tree

• Height:

  Sorghum plants can reach heights between 0.6 to 2.4 meters (2 to 8 feet), and some varieties can grow even taller, up to 4.6 meters (15 feet). 

• Stems:

  The stems are thick and sturdy, with a single stalk ending in a flowerhead or panicle. 

• Leaves:

  Sorghum has long, narrow leaves, typically 5 cm (2 inches) broad and 76 cm (2.5 feet) long. 

• Flowerheads/Panicles:

  The flowerheads are large and bushy, containing numerous small flowers, each with 800–3,000 kernels. 

• Seeds:

  The seeds are small, round, and have a hard outer layer, varying in color, shape, and size among different varieties. 

• Root System:

  The root system is well-developed and can spread up to 1.5 meters around the plant, with most of the roots concentrated in the top 90 cm of the soil. 

• Leaf Characteristics:

  The leaves are coated with a white wax, and the pith (central portion) of certain varieties is juicy and sweet. 

• Adaptation:

  Sorghum is well-suited to warm climates and can tolerate dry conditions, making it a popular crop in drought-prone areas. 

Medicinal Uses:

• Modern Research:

  Studies have shown that Simarouba glauca can be effective against amoebic dysentery and malaria, including drug-resistant strains. 

• Traditional Medicine:

  Simarouba glauca has been traditionally used in Central America to treat various ailments, including malaria, dysentery, diarrhea, and fevers. 

• Active Compounds:

  The tree contains quassinoids, a group of triterpenes, with antiprotozoal, antimalarial, and anticancer properties. 

Industrial Uses:

• Seed Oil:

  The seeds contain a high percentage of oil that can be used in the manufacture of soaps, detergents, lubricants, and paints. 

• Fuel and Power:

  The tree's wood can be used as fuel and is known to burn readily when green, according to PFAF. 

• Other Applications:

  The tree's wood, bark, and seeds have been used for various applications, including furniture, paper pulp, and pharmaceuticals. 

Other Uses:

• Animal Feed: The pressed cake from the seed milling process, after toxic elements are removed, can be used as cattle feed. 

• Manure and Fertilizers: Leaf litter and the pressed cake can be used as organic fertilizers. 

• Food: The pulp of the fruit can be used for juice making or fermentation. 

• Broom Stalks: In some regions, the panicle stalks are used as bristles for brooms.