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Useful Tropical Plants

Dalbergia granadillo

Pittier

Fabaceae

+ Synonyms

Amerimnum granadillo (Pittier) Standl.

Common Name: Granadillo

No Image.

General Information

Dalbergia granadillo is a deciduous tree that can grow up to 20 metres tall[
338
Title
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.iucnredlist.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].
The plant is particularly valued for its beautiful wood, which is commonly harvested from the wild. It is currently (2020) the most sought after Dalbergia species in Mexico and Central America. This is one of 33 species named as being a suitable Hongmu (red wood) timber, used for producing high quality Chinese furniture following traditions from the Ming and Quing dynasty, which makes it a particularly valuable wood[
1791
Title
The Hongmu Challenge; A briefing for the 66th meeting of the CITES Standing Committee, January 2016
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.eia-global.org
Publisher
Environmental Investigation Agency; London
Year
2016
ISBN
 
Description
Lists the 33 species used in making Hungmu furniture and the degree of over-exploitation plus recommendations for protecting them.
].
Dalbergia granadillo is highly valued as a timber species and is exported, especially to China. Due to the harvest of the species to meet the international timber demand, the population is declining. Illegal logging also contributed to the loss of mature individuals, due to the value of the timber. Exploitation is inferred to have caused the population to decline by over 80% over the last three generations. The plant is classified as 'Critically Endangered' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2019)[
338
Title
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.iucnredlist.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References


Range

C. America - El Salvador; Southern N. America - central and southern Mexico.

Habitat

Found in a variety of forest types including deciduous oak, pine and mixed pine-oak[
338
Title
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.iucnredlist.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
]

Properties

Conservation StatusCritically Endangered
Medicinal Rating *
Other Uses Rating *  *  *  *
HabitDeciduous Tree
Height15.00 m
Cultivation StatusWild

Cultivation Details

Dalbergia granadillo is a plant of tropical lowlands, where it is found at elevations around 100 metres.
Species in this genus are mainly found in the wild growing in sany soils and on limestone escarpments[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
]. In cultivation they are likely to do well in a fertile, loam soil and a position in full sun[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
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 tree has medicinal properties[
338
Title
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.iucnredlist.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].

Other Uses

The wood has a beautiful purple colour with broad stripes of purplish black. It is very heavy, hard and takes a fine polish[
411
Title
Trees and Shrubs of Mexico
Publication
Contributions from the United States National Herbarium Vol 23
Author
Standley P.C.
Publisher
Smithsonian Institution; Washington
Year
1926
ISBN
 
Description
Although dated, it contains a wealth of information on the trees and shrubs of Mexico, including many of their uses. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. It is highly valued for cabinet work in Mexico[
46
Title
Dictionary of Economic Plants.
Publication
 
Author
Uphof. J. C. Th.
Publisher
Weinheim
Year
1959
ISBN
-
Description
An excellent and very comprehensive guide but it only gives very short descriptions of the uses without any details of how to utilize the plants. Not for the casual reader.
]. This is a rosewood timber of high quality, it is used for furniture, cabinet work and also in the production of musical instruments and decorative crafts. This species is one of the 33 species named as Hongmu producing hardwood timber, for use in Chinese furniture following traditions from the Ming and Quing dynasty, making it particularly valuable[
338
Title
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.iucnredlist.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
]. Due to this the species is under particular pressure from the illegal harvest and trade of timber. Very small quantities of trade are reported on CITES trade database[
338
Title
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.iucnredlist.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
]

Propagation

Like many species within the family Fabaceae, once they have been dried for storage the seeds of this species may benefit from scarification before sowing in order 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[
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
Softwood cuttings of many species, especially if taken from younger plants, will root in a well-drained, sandy medium in a closed case with bottom heat[
200
Title
The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Publication
 
Author
Huxley. A.
Publisher
MacMillan Press
Year
1992
ISBN
0-333-47494-5
Description
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
].
Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2024-12-05. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Dalbergia+granadillo>

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