| DESCRIPTION: Deciduous or semi-evergreen, monoecious tree reaching 35-55 m in height. The bole is straight and cylindrical, branchless up to 20-30) m and up to 1-2 m in diameter, sometimes fluted, with short buttresses up to 2 m high. USE: The timber is moderately soft to moderately hard, strong and moderately tough. Good working properties with a moderate dulling effect on tools and a slight tendency to split on nailing; glues well and polishes satisfactorily. Heartwood is moderately durable and resistant to termites. Wood also used for pulp and paper. The bark is used for tanning and oil is obtained from the seeds. Seed oil has insecticidal properties. The bark contains an alkaloid, carapina, that is used as a febrifuge. Leaves boiled in water are applied to itchy skin. Fruit rind decoction is taken orally for fever and intestinal worms; a seed oil decoction is taken orally for hepatitis and tetanus and applied externally for skin diseases and ringworm. Also used as an ornamental. GROWING PERIOD: Perennial. COMMON NAMES: bois rouge, carapa (French). FURTHER INF: It is a common element of the canopy or subcanopy layer of some of the South American evergreen to semi-evergreen rainforest. It sometimes occurs as a dominant tree or even in almost pure stands and is found predominantly along rivers and on periodically flooded or swampy locations but also on higher ground and low hills. The tree is not exacting about soil, provided it is not too dry. |
