Common Name:

General Information

Lonchocarpus rugosus is a small to large tree with a broad, low crown; it can sometimes reach 15 metres but is generally rather smaller[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a dye and source of wood.
Lonchocarpus rugosus is widespread in Central America and is known to occur within a number of protected areas. The taxon is described as common and is known to occur in a range of habitat types. It is not considered to be threatened or in decline at present. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2012)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Central America - Costa Rica to southern Mexico

Habitat

Found in a range of habitat types including lowland oak forest, tropical woodland with Enterolobium, subdeciduous forest with Brosimum as well as hillsides and ravines; at elevations up to 1,400 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	8.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

The plant starts flowering when around 2 metres tall[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

A purple dye is extracted from the bark and then used to dye clothing[, ].

The tree produces a high quality wood that is used in construction, for axe handles and various other purposes[, ].
We have no more information on the wood of this species. However, we have a general description of the wood for members of this genus, which is as follows:-
The heartwood is yellowish-brown to dark reddish-brown, striped with rather fine uniform parenchyma laminations of a lighter colour; it is sharply demarcated from the thick band of yellowish sapwood. The texture is moderately coarse; the grain straight to irregular or interlocked; lustre is low to medium; there is no distinctive odour or taste. Durability varies considerably with the species. Seasoning also varies with species, the drying rate can be rather slow to rather
rapid. It is reported to dry satisfactorily without excessive distortion or shrinkage if dried slowly. In spite of its hardness, the wood is not particularly difficult to work; smooth planing, however, is difficult because of interlocked grain. It is used for purposes such as heavy construction, flooring, furniture components etc. Durable species have been suggested for railroad crossties[].

Propagation

Like many species within the family Fabaceae, once they have been dried for storage the seeds of this species may benefit from scarification before sowing in order to speed up and improve germination. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water. By this time they should have imbibed moisture and swollen - if they have not, then carefully make a nick in the seedcoat (being careful not to damage the embryo) and soak for a further 12 hours before sowing[].

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