Eperua purpurea
Benth.
Fabaceae
Common Name:
Drawing of the leaves, flowers, fruits and seed
Photograph by: Martius, C., Eichler, A.G., Urban, I., Flora Brasiliensis, vol. 15(2): fasicle 50, t. 58 (1870)
General Information
Eperua purpurea is an evergreen tree usually growing 20 - 50 metres tall, with some specimens up to 70 metres having been recorded. The straight, cylindrical bole can be 30 - 100cm in diameter[
383- Title
- A Monograph of the Genus Eperua.
- Publication
- Smithsonian Contributions to Botany. No. 28
- Author
- Cowan. R.S.
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Institution Press; Washington DC
- Year
- 1975
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Number 28 in the 'Smithsonian Contributions to Botany' series, a very detailed monograph of the genus Eperua. It can be downloaded in PDF format from the Internet.
].
The tree is harvested from the wild for its wood. Considered to be one of the most beautiful flowering trees in the world with its purple flower clusters and contrasting bright green foliage[
1309- Title
- The Leguminosae; A Source Book of Characteristics, Uses and Nodulation
- Publication
-
- Author
- Allen O.N.; Allen E.K.
- Publisher
- University of Wisconsin
- Year
- 1981
- ISBN
- 0-333-32221-5
- Description
- An amazing and comprehensive work, giving a brief guide to the many genera of the family Fabaceae and also the principle uses of the genus.
].
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
383- Title
- A Monograph of the Genus Eperua.
- Publication
- Smithsonian Contributions to Botany. No. 28
- Author
- Cowan. R.S.
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Institution Press; Washington DC
- Year
- 1975
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Number 28 in the 'Smithsonian Contributions to Botany' series, a very detailed monograph of the genus Eperua. It can be downloaded in PDF format from the Internet.
Range
S. America - northwest Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela.
Habitat
A canopy or emergent tree in savannah scrub, moist places in upland rainforest[
383- Title
- A Monograph of the Genus Eperua.
- Publication
- Smithsonian Contributions to Botany. No. 28
- Author
- Cowan. R.S.
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Institution Press; Washington DC
- Year
- 1975
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Number 28 in the 'Smithsonian Contributions to Botany' series, a very detailed monograph of the genus Eperua. It can be downloaded in PDF format from the Internet.
].
Properties
| Other Uses Rating |  |
| Habit | Evergreen Tree |
| Height | 30.00 m |
| Cultivation Status | Ornamental, Wild |
Cultivation Details
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[
200- Title
- The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Huxley. A.
- Publisher
- MacMillan Press
- Year
- 1992
- ISBN
- 0-333-47494-5
- Description
- Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
Edible Uses
None known
Medicinal
None known
Other Uses
The beautiful rose-purple flowers are sometimes made into a tea for bathing the hair in the belief that it strengthens the growth of the hair[
697- Title
- Botanical Museum Leaflets Vol 29
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Harvard University; Cambridge, Massachusetts.
- Year
- 1983
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Some interesting notes on plant uses in tropical America. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
The red-coloured bark is tough and does not decay under water. A strip 9 metres or more long, 30cm wide and 3mm thick is wrapped round a tube, 30 - 90cm long, formed of a portion of a young trunk of the Paxuiba palm (Iriartea enorrhiza) in a slightly oblique direction, so as to form a widening spiral which extends considerably below the tube and forms a musical instrument which is blown into like a trumpet and gives a deep sound that is heard from afar[
383- Title
- A Monograph of the Genus Eperua.
- Publication
- Smithsonian Contributions to Botany. No. 28
- Author
- Cowan. R.S.
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Institution Press; Washington DC
- Year
- 1975
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Number 28 in the 'Smithsonian Contributions to Botany' series, a very detailed monograph of the genus Eperua. It can be downloaded in PDF format from the Internet.
].
The wood is heavy[
383- Title
- A Monograph of the Genus Eperua.
- Publication
- Smithsonian Contributions to Botany. No. 28
- Author
- Cowan. R.S.
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Institution Press; Washington DC
- Year
- 1975
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Number 28 in the 'Smithsonian Contributions to Botany' series, a very detailed monograph of the genus Eperua. It can be downloaded in PDF format from the Internet.
]. It is used for making bridges and general construction[
383- Title
- A Monograph of the Genus Eperua.
- Publication
- Smithsonian Contributions to Botany. No. 28
- Author
- Cowan. R.S.
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Institution Press; Washington DC
- Year
- 1975
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Number 28 in the 'Smithsonian Contributions to Botany' series, a very detailed monograph of the genus Eperua. It can be downloaded in PDF format from the Internet.
].
Propagation
Seed -
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Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
