Common Name: Castanha Vermelha

General Information

Castanha vermelha is an evergreen tree growing up to 30 metres tall.
The plant is harvested from the wild for its edible seed, which contains a fine oil[]. It is also valued for its timber. The tree is sometimes cultivated for its seed[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, French Guiana.

Habitat

An understorey tree in the rainforest.

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	25.00 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of low elevations in the moist tropics.

Edible Uses

Seed[, ]. Palatable[].

A fine oil can be obtained from the seeds[].

Medicinal

An infusion of the flowers is used in the treatment of ophthalmia[].

The fruit is acidic and refreshant[].

An emulsion of the seed is used in the treatment of infections of the urinary tract[].

Other Uses

An oil extracted from the seeds is used in soap-making and as lubricant[].

The light red to orange-red wood is dense, close-grained and very strong[]. It is used for spokes[].
We do not have any more specific information for this species, but the general description for the wood of this genus is as follows:-
The heartwood of most species is light brown, grayish-brown, reddish-brown, or brownish-buff, sometimes with black streaks; it is usually distinct from the yellowish sapwood. The texture is fine and uniform; the grain typically straight; lustre is low; there is no distinctive odour or taste. Depending on the species, silica content may be as high as 2.4%. Most species are highly resistant to attack by both brown-rot and white-rot fungi. Also most of the species have gained wide recognition for their high degree of resistance to marine-borer attack. Resistance to dry-wood termite attack is variable, depending on species. The wood is rated as fairly difficult to air season, drying rates are slow to moderate. Warp and checking are rated as slight to moderate, depending on species. Most of the species are difficult to work because of the high density and high silica content (excepting E. Tenax); specially tipped cutters are suggested. They can be used for purposes such as marine and other heavy construction, industrial flooring, pulpmill
equipment, railroad crossties, piling, and turnery[].

Propagation

Seed -

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