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Useful Tropical Plants

Dicorynia guianensis

Amshoff

Fabaceae


Many of the reports regarding the timber of this species have been wrongly ascribed to Dicorynia paraensis, a not very well known species from northern Brazil, Colombia and Venezuela[
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].

+ Synonyms

Common Name: Angelique

No Image.

General Information

Angelique is a tree growing up to 45 metres tall. The straight, cylindrical bole can be up to 150cm in diameter and unbranched for 15 - 18 metres[378. 422]. It is heavily buttressed[
378
Title
Present and Potential Commercial Timbers of the Caribbean
Publication
USDA Agricultural Handbook No. 207
Author
Longwood.F.R.
Publisher
USDA Forest Service; Washington, DC.
Year
1962
ISBN
 
Description
Quite detailed information on more than 60 species of Caribbean timber trees, giving species descriptions, habitat, detailed info on the wood and some info on other uses. Available for download on the internet.
].
The tree yields an excellent quality timber that has properties similar to teak. It is harvested in quantity from the wild and often exported.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

422
Title
Fruits of the Guianan Flora
Publication
 
Author
van Roosmalen. M.G.M.
Publisher
Institute of Systematic Boyany, Utrecht University; Netherlands.
Year
1985
ISBN
90-9000988-4
Description
Terse descriptions of over 1,700 species from the Guianas that bear fruits - not necessarily edible! Often mentions if the fruit is edible, plus gives brief description of habit and habitat.

Range

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

Habitat

Rainforests, especially on well-drained, sandy or sandy-clay soils not subject to inundation[
422
Title
Fruits of the Guianan Flora
Publication
 
Author
van Roosmalen. M.G.M.
Publisher
Institute of Systematic Boyany, Utrecht University; Netherlands.
Year
1985
ISBN
90-9000988-4
Description
Terse descriptions of over 1,700 species from the Guianas that bear fruits - not necessarily edible! Often mentions if the fruit is edible, plus gives brief description of habit and habitat.
,
1309
Title
The Leguminosae; A Source Book of Characteristics, Uses and Nodulation
Publication
 
Author
Allen O.N.; Allen E.K.
Publisher
University of Wisconsin
Year
1981
ISBN
0-333-32221-5
Description
An amazing and comprehensive work, giving a brief guide to the many genera of the family Fabaceae and also the principle uses of the genus.
].

Properties

Other Uses Rating *  *  *  *
HabitTree
Height35.00 m
Cultivation StatusWild

Cultivation Details


In the wild the plant thrives best in deep, loamy, well-drained soils, but can also grow in wetter areas[
378
Title
Present and Potential Commercial Timbers of the Caribbean
Publication
USDA Agricultural Handbook No. 207
Author
Longwood.F.R.
Publisher
USDA Forest Service; Washington, DC.
Year
1962
ISBN
 
Description
Quite detailed information on more than 60 species of Caribbean timber trees, giving species descriptions, habitat, detailed info on the wood and some info on other uses. Available for download on the internet.
].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The heartwood is a russet colour when first cut, turning on exposure to a lustrous brown, often with a distinct reddish cast; it is sharply demarcated from the 2 - 10cm wide band of reddish sapwood. The texture is medium, the grain usually straight, with no distinctive odour or taste present in seasoned wood. In the green condition, angelique is similar to teak in most strength properties and clearly superior to white oak. It is about equal to the average for timbers of similar density in bending strength, elastic resilience, hardness, compression across the grain, shear, and toughness. It is above average in stiffness and in work to maximum load, slightly above average in crushing strength, but falls slightly below the average in tension across the grain and cleavage resistance. In the air-dry condition, angelique is superior to teak in all mechanical properties except tension perpendicular to the grain. It is superior to white oak in static-bending properties, compression parallel to the grain, and end hardness; comparable in shock resistance, side hardness, and compression across the grain; and inferior to white oak in shear, tension across the grain, and cleavage resistance. The working qualities vary according to the density and silica content but are generally rated as satisfactory. The wood finishes smoothly, splits easily, glues moderately well, and holds its place well under changes in atmospheric conditions. The wood is durable to very durable. The high resistance to decay and moderate resistance to damage by marine borers as well as its very good strength properties make angelique highly acceptable in marine construction for piling, poles, posts, and other similar uses where teredo are not a major factor. The wood is commonly used for construction purposes, bridge flooring, boat framing, carriage work, and crossties. To a limited extent, it, is also used for furniture, barrel staves, and parquet, strips and blocks. Because of small radial shrinkage, quartersawn material is considered suitable for flooring and for boat decks, frames, planking and millwork, general building construction, and agricultural implements[
378
Title
Present and Potential Commercial Timbers of the Caribbean
Publication
USDA Agricultural Handbook No. 207
Author
Longwood.F.R.
Publisher
USDA Forest Service; Washington, DC.
Year
1962
ISBN
 
Description
Quite detailed information on more than 60 species of Caribbean timber trees, giving species descriptions, habitat, detailed info on the wood and some info on other uses. Available for download on the internet.
,
848
Title
Tropix 7
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://tropix.cirad.fr/en
Publisher
CIRAD
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An on-line guide to the timbers of 245 species of trees.
].

Propagation

Seed -
Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2024-03-28. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Dicorynia+guianensis>

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