Common Name:

General Information

Andira coriacea is an evergreen tree with a flat, rounded crown; it usually grows up to 25 metres tall, occasionally reaching 40 metres. The trunk has small buttresses and can be 60 - 90cm in diameter[, , , ].
The tree is commonly harvested from the wild for commercial use of its good quality, very durable wood.

Known Hazards

Many members of this genus are used medicinally, particularly to treat parasitic and other skin conditions, and to act as a drastic purgative. The powdered wood, bark and seeds are the parts most commonly used. However the medicinal use of these plants needs to be tempered with caution since the active compounds (the alkaloid andirine is most commonly mentioned) are toxic and, in all but small doses, can cause fever, delerium, vomiting and, in extreme cases, death[, ]. Both caster oil (from Ricinus communis) and lemon juice are said to be effective antidotes[].
The smoke from the wood is said to be toxic and to cause blindness if it gets in the eyes[, ].

Botanical References

Range

S. America - French Guiana, Surinam.

Habitat

Rain forests and savannah forests[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	20.00 m
Pollinators	Bees, Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria; these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The heartwood is pink-brown to red-brown with bands of light coloured wood that give it a distinctive figure; it is clearly demarcated from the 3 - 5cm wide band of sapwood. Texture is coarse; grain straight or interlocked. The wood is heavy, hard, elastic, very durable, being resistant to fungi, dry wood borers and termites, and suitable for use untreated in marine environments and brackish water. The wood seasons fairly quickly with only a slight rish of distortion or check; once dry it is poorly stable in service. It has a strong blunting effect upon tools, stellite-tipped and tungsten carbide tools are recommended; it is difficult to get a smooth surface when planing because of the alternate bands of hard and soft wood; nailing and screwing are good, but pre-boring is necessary; gluing is correct on dry wood and smooth surfaces, but is suitable for interior uses only. The wood has a wide range of applications, being suitable for use in salt water. It is used in cabinet making, furniture, construction, interior and exterior joinery and panelling, industrial flooring, turned goods, heavy carpentry etc[].

Propagation

Seed -

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