Common Name:

General Information

Vochysia divergens is an evergreen tree with a dense, goblet-shaped crown; it can grow 7 - 18 metres tall. The straight, cylindrical bole, which often branches from low down, can be 30 - 50cm in diameter[].
The tree is harvested from the wild for its wood, which is used locally, and for a range of local medicinal uses. It can become a very invasive weed of pasture land, and so has a potential role as a pioneer species for re-establishing forests.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - central Brazil, Bolivia, Peru.

Habitat

Forests on alluvial soils that are subject to periodic inundation[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	15.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Hummingbirds
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of moderate elevations in the tropics, where it is found from 150 - 800 metres.
Requires a sunny position[]. Established plants are drought tolerant[].
The plant can become a very invasive weed of pasture land[].
Freshly planted seedlings usually establish well and grow away quickly, reaching a height of 2.5 metres or more in two years[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The bark, leaves and sap are said to be medicinal[].

The bark is used in folk medicine against infections and asthma.
Beta-sitosterol, betulinic acid and sericic acid have been isolated from the bark.

Agroforestry Uses:

A fast-growing pioneer species in its native environment, rapidly invading grazing land, especially in periods of time when rainfall is generally above average. Cattle ranchers consider it to be one of the worst pasture weeds[]. It is sometimes used in reforestation projects[].

Other Uses

The wood is moderately heavy, of medium texture, straight-grained, with poor mechanical properties and very subject to rot[]. Soft and easy to work with, it is used locally for making canoes, troughs, boxes, bowls, toys etc[].
The wood is used for fuel[].
We do not have any more information on the wood for this species. However, a general description of the wood for trees in this genus is as follows:-
The heartwood is a dull uniform pink, pinkish- brown or golden-brown; it is not always sharply demarcated from the whitish to yellowish sapwood. The texture is moderately coarse; the grain slightly to highly interlocked; lustre is medium to high; there is no distinctive odour or taste. Vertical traumatic gum ducts may occur sporadically, and is sometimes considered as an objectionable defect. Different species are variable in decay resistance, they are generally reported to be susceptible to attack by fungi as well as insects. Air drying rates range from slow to rapid, the wood being prone to warp with some checking; collapse occurs in thick stock; quartersawing is suggested to minimize degrade. The wood is easily worked by either hand or machine tools, but raised and wooly grain are common defects; it takes glue, paint, and nails well, and polishes to a good finish; it has a tendency to blunt cutting edges. It is used for purposes such as carpentry, utility plywood, furniture components, interior trim, millwork. It has been suggested as a substitute for Cedrela[].

Propagation

Seed - of short viability, it should be sown in a sunny position in a nursery seedbed as soon as it is ripe[]. The germination rate is usually around 40%, with the seed sprouting in 60 - 70 days[]. Pot up the seedlings into individual containers when they are large enough to handle. They should be ready for planting out 4 - 5 months later[].

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