Common Name: Ivory Wood Tree

General Information

Ivory wood tree is a deciduous tree with a dense, oval crown; usually growing around 8 - 15 metres tall, though it can range from 3 - 30 metres tall. The straight, cylindrical bole is 15 - 25cm in diameter with a thick, corky bark[].
The tree is harvested from the wild for its timber and the oil that can be extracted from the seed. The wood is exported internationally. The tree is ornamental and has been recommended for planting[].

Known Hazards

The wood contains a saponin which irritates mucous membranes[].

Botanical References

Range

S. America - Brazil, Bolivia and Peru, north to Panama, Venezuela and the Guyanas.

Habitat

Sandy and calcareous terrains in semi-deciduous woodland[]. Savannah and deciduous forest, sometimes in riparian forest[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	12.00 m
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Prefers a sunny position[]. Established plants are at least somewhat drought tolerant[].
The plant can flower and produce fruit all year round[].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - cooked. Used for making marmalade[]. The olive-green drupe can be up to 30mm long and 17mm wide[].

The roots are rich in saponins. They are used to make a frothy drink known as 'poor man's beer'[].

Medicinal

The leaves are used in baths as a treatment for rheumatism[].

A decoction of the bark is used as a treatment for colds, diarrhoea, and malaria[].
The bark decoction is used externally as a wash for treating skin infections[].
An extract of the bark is strongly molluscicidal[].

The roots are used as a purgative[].

Other Uses

A semi-drying oil is obtained from the seed[]. The seed contains over 50% of a viscous oil[].

The bark produces a cork up to 4cm thick[].

An extract of the bark is strongly moluscicidal[].

The straw-coloured wood is heavy, hard, straight-grained with a fine texture[, ]. It has moderate mechanical properties, but is somewhat susceptible to rot[]. A substitute for satinwood, it is used in carving, cabinet making, lathe work, flooring blocks, furniture, decorative items, cart wheels etc[, ].
The wood is a source of fuel and charcoal[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a semi-shaded position in a nursery bed or individual containers[]. The seed usually sprouts in 70 - 80 days, with a medium percentage germinating[].

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