Common Name:

General Information

Catostemma fragrans is a tree growing up to 45 metres tall. The long, slender, cylindrical bole has a very low taper and is of excellent form. Usually around 60 - 90cm in diameter, in exceptional trees the bole can be up to 120cm. It is unbuttressed and can be free of branches for 20 metres[].
The fruit is sometimes harvested from the wild for local consumption. The tree is exploited commercially for its timber.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Northern S. America - French Guiana, Surinam, Guyana.

Habitat

Found at low elevations in a range of rainforest types, but especially in marsh and savannah forests[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	35.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

The fleshy, orange aril surrounding the seed is eaten[].

Medicinal

A decoction of the bark is used as a wash for the treatment of fevers[].

Other Uses

The heartwood is a dull yellowish-brown to pinkish-brown colour; it is distinctly but not sharply demarcated from the lighter yellowish-brown sapwood, which is often discoloured by sap-stain fungi[]. The grain is straight; the texture coarse; growth rings are not distinct; there is no distinctive odour or taste. An unusual feature of this wood is the presence of streaks of varying lengths on the longitudinal surfaces and as concentric arcs on the end-grain. The wood is soft light to medium-weight; not durable in contact with the soil. It works easily with machine or hand tools; the timber has only a moderate blunting effect, although the numerous bands of resin in the wood ducts may cause chipping of the planing and moulding knives. The wood requires a considerable amount of filler but can be stained and polished satisfactorily, although not to a high lustre. It takes glue well and can be nailed without splitting[]. The wood is reported to be suitable for both dry and wet cooperage, interior work, box shock, paper pulp, utility plywood, and light construction. Good quality molasses barrels were made of baromalli at Barbados for a short period when imported barrels were not available. The results of mechanical tests indicate this wood may be suitable for tool handles and certain sports equipment. It is also considered a prospective timber for inexpensive furniture[].

Propagation

Seed -

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