Common Name:

General Information

Lecythis ampla is a large, deciduous tree with a spherical crown; it can grow up to 45 metres tall[]. The bole is straight and cylindrical, 100 - 160cm in diameter, lacking branches in the basal two-thirds[]. It does not have buttresses but shows short, thick abutments[].
The tree is gathered from the wild for timber, tannins and fibre.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Northwestern S. America - Colombia, Ecuador, through Central America to Nicaragua.

Habitat

An emergent tree in the canopy of very humid tropical forests[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	35.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the humid tropics, where it is found at elevations from sea level to 800 metres[]. It grows in areas where the annual temperature range is 24 - 35°c, and the annual rainfall is more than 3,500 mm[].
Grows well in alluvial and sandy soils and is frequently found in clayey soils[]. It does not grow well in periodically flooded areas or poorly drained soils[]. Seedlings are shade tolerant, but older trees require more light[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

A fibre is obtained from the bark[]. This can be used as rolling paper for cigars, boat caulking, native clothing, tinder, and cordage[].

The bark has a high tannin content[].

The heartwood is brown when first harvested, turning reddish brown after drying[]. The sapwood is fibrous, creamy in fresh condition and light brown when dried[]. The wood is fine and straight-grained, dense, very hard, heavy, difficult to split and to cut[]. It is moderately difficult to work and saw and does not polish well[]. Its natural durability is high and preservation is difficult[]. The wood is excellent for ship construction, agricultural tool handles, frameworks, railroad foundations, furniture and cabinets, turnery, heavy general construction, bridge and marine construction (especially in waters with marine borers), piles, posts, and stakes[].

Propagation

Seeds collected from the ground should be separated by size and form and submerged in running water for 24 hours before sowing[]. Germination is 95 - 96% for soaked seeds[]. The first root, usually adventitious, develops at 45 - 60 days and shows rapid growth; the main root emerges later[]. Under greenhouse conditions, 11-month-old seedlings reach a height of 25cm and are suitable for planting out[].
Seed behaviour is recalcitrant. Viability diminishes with increasing dehydration[].

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