Common Name:

General Information

Andira surinamensis is an evergreen tree with a dense, low, spreading crown; it can grow 10 - 20 metres tall with reports of up to 40 metres. The short, cylindrical bole can be 30 - 50cm in diameter and is buttressed in larger trees[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and as the source of a high quality wood. The wood is also traded.
Andira surinamensis has a very wide distribution, large population, is not currently experiencing any major threats and no significant future threats have been identified. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2019)[].

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 - Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, the Guyanas; Caribbean - Trinidad and Tobago.

Habitat

Amazon and Atlantic rainforests, sometimes an isolated tree in savannah, generally found in more open areas and secondary formations, growing in upland sites and also often by rivers and lakes[, ].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	15.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Pollinators	Bees, Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Prefers a sunny position[].
Plants have a moderate rate of growth[].
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

The bark is used as a remedy for malaria[].

The bark and drupes (does this mean the pulp around the seed, or the seed?[]) are vermifuge[]. A tea made from them is used in the treatment of colic and stomach-ache[].
The bark and the seeds contain the alkaloids berberine and andirine (angelin)[].
Some care is advised in the use of this remedy - the bark and seeds of most, if not all members of this genus are toxic in all but very small doses[].

The fruits are used in the treatment of skin diseases[].

A red exudate from the stems is used to treat mouth sores[, ].

Agroforestry Uses:

The flowers are a source of nectar for bees[].

Other Uses

The heartwood is highly figured and decorative varying from yellowish-brown to dark reddish-brown; it is clearly demarcated from the 3 - 5cm wide band of light brown sapwood. The grain is straight to slightly irregular, the texture coarse[]. The wood is very hard, heavy, resistant in water and very resistant to attack by fungi and termitesr[].[, ]. It saws and works fairly well, except that it is difficult to plane to a smooth surface because of the alternating bands of hard and soft tissue. Even using sharp cutting edges, a fine ridged appearance commonly results. This surface, called raised grain, is usually eliminated in the final sanding. The wood works well in the lathe, takes nails and screws well, and glues satisfactorily, but the surface lacks lustre after planing and sanding because of the large amount of soft tissue. This soft tissue also absorbs polish more readily than the hard fibre tissue and may cause some difficulty in French polishing. However, the wood is generally reported to finish smoothly. It has been used for bridges, railroad tracks and waterfront docks and also to make poles, high grade furniture, parquet flooring, billiard-cues, umbrella handles and boats[, , ]. The wood has no resonance, making it particularly suitable for radio and television cabinets and other similar uses[].

Propagation

Seed - it has a hard seedcoat and may benefit from scarification before sowing to speed up 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. Sow the large seed in a partially shaded position in individual containers. A low germination rate can be expected from untreated seed, even if sown when fresh, with the seed sprouting within 28 - 42 days[].

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