Common Name:

General Information

Diplotropis martiusii is an evergreen tree that can grow up to 25 metres tall. The bole can be 40 - 60cm in diameter[, ].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine, and for its wood, which is used locally and also exported.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Guyana.

Habitat

Periodically flooded forests at elevations below 500 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	20.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

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 leaves have been burned to make an ash mixed with the powdered leaves of coca (Erythroxylon coca) then used as a stimulant[]. The dried leaves are powdered and mixed with fariña to ingest when there is blood in the stool[].

Other Uses

The heartwood is dark brown to reddish brown, with lighter, thin veins; it is clearly demarcated from the 1 - 2cm wide band of sapwood. The texture is medium; the grain straight or interlocked. The wood is heavy, very hard, elastic; very durable, being resistant to fungi, dry wood borers and termites. It seasons fairly slowly with only a slight risk of distortion or checking; once dry it is poorly to moderately stable in service. It has a fairly high blunting effect upon tools - stellite-tipped and tungsten carbide tools are recommended; there are simetimes difficulties due to the interlocked grain; a good finish can be obtained with fillers; nailing and screwing are good, but pre-boring is required; gluing is correct for interior use only. The wood has many uses, including for high class furniture, cabinetwork, flooring, stairs, heavy carpentry, interior and exterior joinery and panelling, ship building, turnery[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a lightly shaded position in a nursery seedbed[]. Germination rates are usually high, with the seed sprouting within 14 - 21 days[]. Prick out the seedlings into individual containers when they are 4 - 5cm tall and they should be ready to plant out 5 - 6 months later[].

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