Qualea caerulea
Aubl.
Vochysiaceae
Some authorities spell the name Qualea coerulea[
K- Title
- Plants for a Future
- Author
- Ken Fern
- Description
- Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
Common Name:
General Information
Qualea caerulea is a tree that can grow 45 metres or more tall. The long, clear bole has thick buttresses and is often of a very large diameter[
378- Title
- Present and Potential Commercial Timbers of the Caribbean
- Publication
- USDA Agricultural Handbook No. 207
- Author
- Longwood.F.R.
- Publisher
- USDA Forest Service; Washington, DC.
- Year
- 1962
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Quite detailed information on more than 60 species of Caribbean timber trees, giving species descriptions, habitat, detailed info on the wood and some info on other uses. Available for download on the internet.
,
422- Title
- Fruits of the Guianan Flora
- Publication
-
- Author
- van Roosmalen. M.G.M.
- Publisher
- Institute of Systematic Boyany, Utrecht University; Netherlands.
- Year
- 1985
- ISBN
- 90-9000988-4
- Description
- Terse descriptions of over 1,700 species from the Guianas that bear fruits - not necessarily edible! Often mentions if the fruit is edible, plus gives brief description of habit and habitat.
].
The tree is harvested from the wild for its wood, which is a source of 'mandioqueira' wood that is used locally and also exported.
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
422- Title
- Fruits of the Guianan Flora
- Publication
-
- Author
- van Roosmalen. M.G.M.
- Publisher
- Institute of Systematic Boyany, Utrecht University; Netherlands.
- Year
- 1985
- ISBN
- 90-9000988-4
- Description
- Terse descriptions of over 1,700 species from the Guianas that bear fruits - not necessarily edible! Often mentions if the fruit is edible, plus gives brief description of habit and habitat.
Range
S. America - Brazil, the Guyanas.
Habitat
Rain forests, especially in marsh forests[
378- Title
- Present and Potential Commercial Timbers of the Caribbean
- Publication
- USDA Agricultural Handbook No. 207
- Author
- Longwood.F.R.
- Publisher
- USDA Forest Service; Washington, DC.
- Year
- 1962
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Quite detailed information on more than 60 species of Caribbean timber trees, giving species descriptions, habitat, detailed info on the wood and some info on other uses. Available for download on the internet.
,
422- Title
- Fruits of the Guianan Flora
- Publication
-
- Author
- van Roosmalen. M.G.M.
- Publisher
- Institute of Systematic Boyany, Utrecht University; Netherlands.
- Year
- 1985
- ISBN
- 90-9000988-4
- Description
- Terse descriptions of over 1,700 species from the Guianas that bear fruits - not necessarily edible! Often mentions if the fruit is edible, plus gives brief description of habit and habitat.
].
Properties
| Other Uses Rating |  |
| Habit | Tree |
| Height | 35.00 m |
| Cultivation Status | Wild |
Cultivation Details
Not known
Edible Uses
None known
Medicinal
None known
Other Uses
The heartwood is a pinkish brown to red brown, sometimes olive brown; it is clearly demarcated from the 3 - 6cm wide band of sapwood. The texture is medium; the grain straight or interlocked, sometimes wavy; the unseasoned wood has an unpleasant odour. The wood is moderately heavy; moderately hard; moderately durable, having a good resistance to dry wood borers, moderate resistance to fungi, but poor resistance to termites. It seasons at a normal rate, with a high risk of checking and distortion; once dry it is poorly stable in service. It has moderately good working properties; saws and planes well; nailing and screwing are good; gluing is correct; it requires care in polishing. However, it dulls saws and cutting edges rather quickly because of the accumulation of silica in the parenchyma and ray cells - stellite-tipped and tungsten carbide tools are recommended. Chipped or torn grain is likely to occur when roey grain is present, and fuzzy surfaces and tearing are apt to occur in boring. The wood is used locally for such purposes as joinery, flooring, interior trim, furniture, and millwork. It has been used in the superstructures of bridges and has also been found suitable for packing cases, outside and inside sheathing, rafters, and implements[
378- Title
- Present and Potential Commercial Timbers of the Caribbean
- Publication
- USDA Agricultural Handbook No. 207
- Author
- Longwood.F.R.
- Publisher
- USDA Forest Service; Washington, DC.
- Year
- 1962
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Quite detailed information on more than 60 species of Caribbean timber trees, giving species descriptions, habitat, detailed info on the wood and some info on other uses. Available for download on the internet.
,
848- Title
- Tropix 7
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://tropix.cirad.fr/en
- Publisher
- CIRAD
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An on-line guide to the timbers of 245 species of trees.
].
Propagation
Seed -
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Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
