Eperua leucantha
Benth.
Fabaceae
Common Name:
General Information
Eperua leucantha is an evergreen tree usually growing 12 - 25 metres tall. The bole can be 50 - 60cm in diameter[
383- Title
- A Monograph of the Genus Eperua.
- Publication
- Smithsonian Contributions to Botany. No. 28
- Author
- Cowan. R.S.
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Institution Press; Washington DC
- Year
- 1975
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Number 28 in the 'Smithsonian Contributions to Botany' series, a very detailed monograph of the genus Eperua. It can be downloaded in PDF format from the Internet.
].
The tree is harvested from the wild for its timber and medicinal uses. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental, valued especially for its white flowers[
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.
].
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
383- Title
- A Monograph of the Genus Eperua.
- Publication
- Smithsonian Contributions to Botany. No. 28
- Author
- Cowan. R.S.
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Institution Press; Washington DC
- Year
- 1975
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Number 28 in the 'Smithsonian Contributions to Botany' series, a very detailed monograph of the genus Eperua. It can be downloaded in PDF format from the Internet.
Range
S. America - Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela.
Habitat
Moist rainforests on sandy soils, it is also sometimes found in savannah border forests; at elevations from 120 - 250 metres[
383- Title
- A Monograph of the Genus Eperua.
- Publication
- Smithsonian Contributions to Botany. No. 28
- Author
- Cowan. R.S.
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Institution Press; Washington DC
- Year
- 1975
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Number 28 in the 'Smithsonian Contributions to Botany' series, a very detailed monograph of the genus Eperua. It can be downloaded in PDF format from the Internet.
].
Properties
| Medicinal Rating |  |
| Other Uses Rating |  |
| Habit | Evergreen Tree |
| Height | 20.00 m |
| Cultivation Status | Ornamental, 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[
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.
].
Edible Uses
None known
Medicinal
The bark is emetic[
697- Title
- Botanical Museum Leaflets Vol 29
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Harvard University; Cambridge, Massachusetts.
- Year
- 1983
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Some interesting notes on plant uses in tropical America. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. A strong tea is taken to cause vomiting[
697- Title
- Botanical Museum Leaflets Vol 29
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Harvard University; Cambridge, Massachusetts.
- Year
- 1983
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Some interesting notes on plant uses in tropical America. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
Other Uses
The beautiful rose-purple flowers are sometimes made into a tea for bathing the hair in the belief that it strengthens the growth of the hair[
697- Title
- Botanical Museum Leaflets Vol 29
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Harvard University; Cambridge, Massachusetts.
- Year
- 1983
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Some interesting notes on plant uses in tropical America. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
The wood is very heavy[
383- Title
- A Monograph of the Genus Eperua.
- Publication
- Smithsonian Contributions to Botany. No. 28
- Author
- Cowan. R.S.
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Institution Press; Washington DC
- Year
- 1975
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Number 28 in the 'Smithsonian Contributions to Botany' series, a very detailed monograph of the genus Eperua. It can be downloaded in PDF format from the Internet.
]. It is used locally for house posts and for bridges[
383- Title
- A Monograph of the Genus Eperua.
- Publication
- Smithsonian Contributions to Botany. No. 28
- Author
- Cowan. R.S.
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Institution Press; Washington DC
- Year
- 1975
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Number 28 in the 'Smithsonian Contributions to Botany' series, a very detailed monograph of the genus Eperua. It can be downloaded in PDF format from the Internet.
].
Propagation
Seed -
If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.
Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
