There has been much disagreement amongst botanists over the correct application of the name Calophyllum calaba. Specimens from three different species have at times been confused and given this name. We have followed the treatment of Stevens[], and applied this name to the Sri Lankan species[]. This tropical American species is treated here as C. Brasiliense, whilst the Indian species is treated as C. Apetalum[].

Common Name: Brazil Beauty-Leaf

General Information

Brazil beauty-leaf is a medium to large sized, evergreen tree with a dense, rounded crown; usually growing 12 - 20 metres tall but with some specimens reported up to 45 metres tall[, , ]. The long, straight bole can be unbranched for two thirds of its height, it is usually up to 60cm in diameter, exceptionally to 180cm, and is generally unbuttressed[, ].
A very attractive and valuable timber species that is similar to mahogany and has similar uses[]. It is commonly gathered from the wild and also grown in plantations. Its evergreen habit and deliciously scented flowers makes it suitable for use in ornamental and shade tree plantings[, ]. Brazil beauty-leaf was introduced into the Hawaiian islands during the 1950s for reforestation, ornamental planting and timber production[]. It has also been introduced as an ornamental tree throughout the Caribbean where it is also used for shelterbelts and to provide shade for coffee plantations[].

Known Hazards

The fruit is poisonous[].

Botanical References

Range

Northern S. America from Brazil northwards to Mexico and the West Indies.

Habitat

Found in subtropical moist forests, lowland evergreen rainforests and lower montane rainforests, where it forms part of the canopy[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	30.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Brazil beauty leaf grows in the moister lowland and lower montane areas of the tropics, where it is found at elevations up to 1,500 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 20 - 30°c, but can tolerate 15 - 38°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,500 - 6,000mm, but tolerates 1,200 - 7,000mm[].
Succeeds in full sun or partial shade[]. A very tolerant plant, it occurs in nearly all the soil types[]. It seems to grow best on wet, humid, sites, but also grows well on pure sand and rock sandstone[]. In Puerto Rico, it occurs naturally on the north coast on sandy soils of the orders inceptisols, oxisols and alfisols. It has been planted on deep clays and serpentine soils in the mountains, and in shallow limestone soils near the coast. It does well on degraded sites, and is very resistant to salt and salt-laden winds[, , ]. Established plants are very drought tolerant[]. Prefers a pH in the range , tolerating [].
Some trees bear fruit when only 3 years old[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The resin obtained from the crushed or cut bark, called balsámo de maría, has been used medicinally[, , , ].

A decoction of the trunk bark, combined with the root-bark of Coutarea hexandra, is used as an antidiabetic and vermifuge[].

The plant (part not specified) is used to dress sores, and as a headache remedy[].

The plant contains xanthones, including guanandine, isoguanandine and jacareubine[].

Agroforestry Uses:

In the West Indies, it is planted as a shade tree for coffee and cacao and for windbreaks[, ].
It has been used to stabilize soils and to relieve soil compaction in degraded pastures[].

Other Uses

Oil has been extracted from the seeds[, ].

A yellowish-green essential oil is obtained from the wood, called Sandalo Ingles in Brazil[].

The heartwood is pink or yellowish pink to brick red or rich reddish brown, marked with fine darker red striping; the 5 - 7cm wide band of sapwood is lighter in colour but not always clearly differentiated. The texture is medium and fairly uniform; the grain is generally interlocked but sometimes is straight; lustre is medium; odour and taste are not distinctive. The wood is moderately heavy; soft to moderately hard; strong; and fairly durable, being resistant to fungi and dry wood borers, though very susceptible to attack by drywood termites and not resistant to marine bores. It is rather slow to season, with a high risk of checking and distortion; once dry it is moderately stable in service. It is rather easy to work, usually yielding smooth surfaces if straight grained though it usually tears and chips if the grain is interlocked. It is below average in planing, turning and boring; takes nails and screws well so long as it is pre-bored; glues correct. An attractive wood, it is similar to mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla) and has comparable uses. One of the most used woods in the American tropics, it is used for general construction, bridgework, railway ties, general wheelwright’ s work, dugouts, heavy carts, canoes, general shipbuilding, shingles, flooring, interior construction, and furniture. It is a good general utility wood where a fairly strong and moderately durable timber is required. The wood produces a fair quality face veneer but is not used extensively for this purpose because of the mechanical problems in veneer-cutting operations[, , ].

Propagation

Seed - the tough endocarp inhibits water uptake and so germination will be hastened if this is broken with a hammer prior to sowing[]. Fresh seeds can be sown in situ directly into the soil, or in a seedbed. Average germination is about 70%[]. Seedlings transplant successfully when they are moved with a ball of earth, a task best carried out in the rainy season[].
Seeds stored for 1 year in a dry room have germinated fairly well[]. Fruits should not be stored at a temperature below 0°c., and the water content of the fruit should not be lower than 35%[].

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