Common Name:

General Information

Cavanillesia umbellata is a deciduous tree with a sparse, open crown; usually growing 15 - 20 metres tall but up to 30 metres in fertile soils. It has a very wide, straight and cylindrical bole that is unbranched for most of its height and can be 150cm or more in diameter[].
The tree is harvested from the wild for its wood. It has an unusual aspect with its large wide trunk and sparse crown, making it look somewhat similar to a baobab tree (Adansonia digitata). It would make an interesting curiosity in public gardens, large gardens etc[]. The flowers are short-lived, the rapidly forming fruits with 4 - 5 big wings are rather attractive, appearing like a multitude of small lanterns on the branches[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia.

Habitat

Dry land forests, favouring fertile soils which are often chalky[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	20.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Part of the range of this plant is in the 'Caatinga' dry forest region of northeast Brazil. The climate there is hot and dry, there are usually 6 to 11 months without rain each year. The mean annual rainfall varies from 250 - 1,000mm, and the mean annual temperature is from 24 - 26°c.
Requires a sunny position and a well-drained soil[]. Prefers fertile soils[]. Tolerant of chalky soils[]. Very drought tolerant, the plant can be leafless for an 8 - 9 months dry season[].
The plant has a moderate rate of growth, able to reach a height of around 2 metres within 2 years from seed[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The bark is used to make drum hoops[].

The wood is very light in weight, soft, spongy, with poor mechanical properties and easily attacked by fungi which cause it to rot[, ]. It is used for low value purposes such as door fillings, light boxes, toothpicks, pencils, paper pulp etc. Because it floats, is very light and fibrous, it can also be used as an insulating material for freezers, in the construction of models, especially model planes, for making rafts and buoys etc, and is also a good source of paper pulp[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a sunny position in a nursery seedbed. A high germination rate can be expected from fresh seed, with the seed sprouting within 7 - 15 days[]. When the seedlings are 6 - 7cm tall, pot them up into individual containers and they should be ready to plant out 4 - 5 months later[].
Cuttings root easily and produce a large tree more rapidly than seed-grown specimens[].

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