The information here is from 'Brazilian Trees Vol. 2'[], where the species name is given as Terminalia kuhlmannii Alwan & Stace. However, we are following the treatment in the online, 2012 Flora do Brasil, which accepts Terminalia mameluco as the correct name for the species and treats Terminalia kuhlmannii as a synonym[].

Common Name:

General Information

Terminalia mameluco is a deciduous tree with a small, elongated crown; it can grow 20 - 30 metres tall. The bole is straight and cylindrical[].
The tree is harvested from the wild for its useful timber. A very ornamental tree, valued particularly for its attractive trunk, it can be used in landscaping[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - eastern Brazil.

Habitat

A canopy tree in the Atlantic rainforest, favouring valley bottoms and near rivers where the soil is deep and moist[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	25.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in full sun to moderate shade[]. Grows best in deep, fertile, moist soils[].
Young trees have a moderate rate of growth[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The wood is medium-textured, cross-grained, heavy, hard, with moderate mechanical properties and good natural durability. It is used in construction for purposes such as beams, scantlings, laths etc; for making furniture, door and window jambs, cart bodies, lathe work, tool handles, poles and stakes[].

We do not have any more specific information on the wood from this species. However, all the Terminalia species from the tropical Americas are said to have similar woods[], the following is a general description of that wood:-
The heartwood is a light yellow to yellow brown, sometimes with reddish veins; it is clearly demarcated from the 3 - 8cm wide band of sapwood. The texture is medium; the grain is straight. The wood is heavy to very heavy; hard to very hard; elastic; moderately durable, being resistant to dry wood borers and moderately resistant to fungi and termites. It seasons slowly with a high risk of checking and distortion; once dry it is moderately stable to stable in service. It has a fairly high blunting effect, stellite-tipped and tungsten carbide tools are recommended; nailing and screwing are good if the holes are pre-bored; gluing is poor. A good quality wood, it is used for high quality furniture, cabinet making, arched goods, turnery, industrial flooring, ship building, joinery, tool handles, moulding, veneer etc[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a partially shaded position in a nursery seedbed. A low germination rate can be expected, with the seed sprouting within 28 - 50 days[].

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