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Useful Tropical Plants

Handroanthus impetiginosus

(Mart. ex DC.) Mattos

Bignoniaceae


This species is extremely closely related to Handroanthus heptaphyllus.The two have been much confused and material of each has at times been treated as a variety of the other under a variety of names as attested by the excessive list of varietal synonyms for both species[
2095
Title
Bignoniaceae: Part II (Tribe Tecomeae)
Publication
Flora Neotropica Monograph Vol. 25, No. 2 pp 1-370
Author
Gentry A.H.
Publisher
The New York Botanical Garden, New York
Year
1992
ISBN
0-89327-368-6
Description
 
].

+ Synonyms

Gelseminum avellanedae (Lorentz ex Grisebach) Kuntze

Handroanthus avellanedae (Lorentz ex Griseback) Mattos

Tabebuia avellanedae Lorentz ex. Griseb.

Tabebuia dugandii Standl.

Tabebuia impetiginosa (Mart. ex DC.) Standl.

Tabebuia nicaraguensis Blake

Tabebuia palmeri Rose

Tecoma adenophylla K.Schum. ex. Bureau & K.Schum.

Tecoma impetiginosa Mart. ex DC.

Tecoma integrum (Sprague) Chodat

Common Name: Pau D'Arco

Handroanthus impetiginosus
Flowering tree
Photograph by: Leandro Kibisz
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0
Handroanthus impetiginosus Handroanthus impetiginosus Handroanthus impetiginosus Handroanthus impetiginosus Handroanthus impetiginosus

General Information

Handroanthus impetiginosus is a briefly deciduous tree that grows around 8 - 12 metres tall in open areas but more like 20 - 35 metres in dense forests where it can become part of the canopy[
419
Title
Brazilian Trees. Volume 1. 4th Edition.
Publication
 
Author
Lorenzi. H.
Publisher
Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora; Brazil.
Year
2002
ISBN
85-86714-17-8
Description
Information on 350 species of Brazilian trees. Stunning photographs of each species, brief details on the plant, its uses and how to grow it from seed. A superb work, with the minor irritation that the translation from Portuguese is not of the best.
]. The straight bole can be 60 - 80cm in diameter[
419
Title
Brazilian Trees. Volume 1. 4th Edition.
Publication
 
Author
Lorenzi. H.
Publisher
Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora; Brazil.
Year
2002
ISBN
85-86714-17-8
Description
Information on 350 species of Brazilian trees. Stunning photographs of each species, brief details on the plant, its uses and how to grow it from seed. A superb work, with the minor irritation that the translation from Portuguese is not of the best.
,
2095
Title
Bignoniaceae: Part II (Tribe Tecomeae)
Publication
Flora Neotropica Monograph Vol. 25, No. 2 pp 1-370
Author
Gentry A.H.
Publisher
The New York Botanical Garden, New York
Year
1992
ISBN
0-89327-368-6
Description
 
].
Known collectively as 'ipe', many members of this genus, including pau d'arco, have long been used medicinally by the local peoples of S. America and are also very popular in modern herbalism[
238
Title
Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses.
Publication
 
Author
Bown. D.
Publisher
Dorling Kindersley, London.
Year
1995
ISBN
0-7513-020-31
Description
A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.
]. The tree also has a very valuable timber that is widely exported. With its impressive flowering display, the tree is often cultivated as an ornamental plant in tropical areas[
302
Title
Tropical Ornamentals; A Guide
Publication
 
Author
Whistler. W. Arthur.
Publisher
Timber Press Inc. Oregon.
Year
2000
ISBN
0-88192-448-2
Description
An excellent little guide to some of the more commonly cultivated ornamental plants of the Tropics, often giving some information on the plants other uses.
].
The tree has been heavily exploited for its wood, notably in Brazil, at such a level as to cause significant population declines. Recovery from logging is poor due to slow growth rates, poor colonisation and few young trees found in stands. The plant is classified as 'Near Threatened' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[
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

Excessive use of the herb can lead to nausea, vomiting, dizziness and diarrhoea[
238
Title
Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses.
Publication
 
Author
Bown. D.
Publisher
Dorling Kindersley, London.
Year
1995
ISBN
0-7513-020-31
Description
A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.
].

Botanical References

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.
,
2095
Title
Bignoniaceae: Part II (Tribe Tecomeae)
Publication
Flora Neotropica Monograph Vol. 25, No. 2 pp 1-370
Author
Gentry A.H.
Publisher
The New York Botanical Garden, New York
Year
1992
ISBN
0-89327-368-6
Description
 

Range

S. America - from Argentina north through Central America to Mexico.

Habitat

Interior of dense, primary forests, as well as in open and secondary growth areas[
419
Title
Brazilian Trees. Volume 1. 4th Edition.
Publication
 
Author
Lorenzi. H.
Publisher
Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora; Brazil.
Year
2002
ISBN
85-86714-17-8
Description
Information on 350 species of Brazilian trees. Stunning photographs of each species, brief details on the plant, its uses and how to grow it from seed. A superb work, with the minor irritation that the translation from Portuguese is not of the best.
].

Properties

Conservation StatusNear Threatened
Edibility Rating *  *
Medicinal Rating *  *  *  *
Other Uses Rating *  *  *
HabitDeciduous Tree
Height20.00 m
Growth RateFast
Cultivation StatusOrnamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A species of higher elevations in the tropics, it is well-suited to subtropical areas[
307
Title
Tropical and Subtropical Trees - A Worldwide Encyclopaedic Guide.
Publication
 
Author
Barwick. M.
Publisher
Thames & Hudson, London
Year
2004
ISBN
0-500-51181-0
Description
A superb book, very concise and well written, giving a wealth of information on 400 or more species including descriptions, habitat, cultivation details and plant uses. A wealth of colour photographs bring each plant vividly to life.
].
Prefers a well-drained fertile soil and a position in full sun[
238
Title
Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses.
Publication
 
Author
Bown. D.
Publisher
Dorling Kindersley, London.
Year
1995
ISBN
0-7513-020-31
Description
A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.
].
Young plants establish well, achieving heights of around 3.5 metres within 2 years[
419
Title
Brazilian Trees. Volume 1. 4th Edition.
Publication
 
Author
Lorenzi. H.
Publisher
Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora; Brazil.
Year
2002
ISBN
85-86714-17-8
Description
Information on 350 species of Brazilian trees. Stunning photographs of each species, brief details on the plant, its uses and how to grow it from seed. A superb work, with the minor irritation that the translation from Portuguese is not of the best.
].

Edible Uses

A tea made from the inner bark is widely used as a tonic[
301
Title
Cornucopia II
Publication
 
Author
Facciola. S.
Publisher
Kampong Publications, California.
Year
1998
ISBN
0-9628087-2-5
Description
The second edition of an excellent guide to the edible uses of plants, though it does not give any details of cultivation etc.
].

Medicinal

The inner bark of species in the genus Handroanthus (especially of Pau D’Arco, Handroanthus impetiginosus, and several very closely related species) has a long history of traditional use stretching back far beyond the arrival of Europeans in the Americas. Many native South American peoples have prized pau d'arco as a cure-all, using it in the form of a decoction and as a wash to treat a wide range of conditions including wounds, skin problems, fevers, dysentery, intestinal inflammation and snake bites[
254
Title
The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants
Publication
 
Author
Chevallier. A.
Publisher
Dorling Kindersley. London
Year
1996
ISBN
9-780751-303148
Description
An excellent guide to over 500 of the more well known medicinal herbs from around the world.
].
In modern herbalism the wood and inner bark are seen as a bitter, cooling, pungent herb that lowers fever and reduces inflammation[
238
Title
Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses.
Publication
 
Author
Bown. D.
Publisher
Dorling Kindersley, London.
Year
1995
ISBN
0-7513-020-31
Description
A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.
]. A decoction is widely used in local and traditional phytomedicine to treat numerous conditions including bacterial and fungal infections (especially candidiasis), inflammatory diseases, ulcers, syphilis, fevers, malaria, trypanosomiasis, as well as stomach and bladder disorders. The inner bark, taken both internally and applied topically, is said to be especially useful for treating skin disorders, particularly eczema, herpes and the mange[
238
Title
Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses.
Publication
 
Author
Bown. D.
Publisher
Dorling Kindersley, London.
Year
1995
ISBN
0-7513-020-31
Description
A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.
,
254
Title
The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants
Publication
 
Author
Chevallier. A.
Publisher
Dorling Kindersley. London
Year
1996
ISBN
9-780751-303148
Description
An excellent guide to over 500 of the more well known medicinal herbs from around the world.
]. It is also used, in combination with other herbs, to clear toxins, resolve congestion and strengthen the immune system[
238
Title
Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses.
Publication
 
Author
Bown. D.
Publisher
Dorling Kindersley, London.
Year
1995
ISBN
0-7513-020-31
Description
A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.
].
The wood and inner bark are harvested as required and can be dried for later use[
238
Title
Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses.
Publication
 
Author
Bown. D.
Publisher
Dorling Kindersley, London.
Year
1995
ISBN
0-7513-020-31
Description
A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.
].

The inner bark has been shown to contain various pharmacologically active compounds, including the naphthoquinones lapachol and beta-lapachone. These compounds have a range of medicinal activities, including antitumor activity, but when isolated from the whole bark and used in the quantities required to treat conditions such as cancer, they have also shown unacceptable levels of toxicity towards the body.

Other Uses

An extract of the leaves is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as a skin conditioner[
1243
Title
CosIng
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
CosIng is the European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients.
].
An extract of the bark is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as a humectant and a skin conditioner[
1243
Title
CosIng
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://ec.europa.eu/growth/tools-databases/cosing/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
CosIng is the European Commission database for information on cosmetic substances and ingredients.
].

The heartwood is greenish to yellowish-brown; the sapwood is yellowish. The texture is medium; the grain interlocked; lustre is medium. The wood is very heavy, durable, especially when not in contact with the soil. It can be very hard to cut, but works well and gives a good finish. The timber, known as lapacho, is highly valued for cabinet making. It is also used for railway ties, telegraph poles, interior finishes, parquet flooring, sports items such as wooded balls, musical instruments etc[
238
Title
Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses.
Publication
 
Author
Bown. D.
Publisher
Dorling Kindersley, London.
Year
1995
ISBN
0-7513-020-31
Description
A very well presented and informative book on herbs from around the globe. Plenty in it for both the casual reader and the serious student. Just one main quibble is the silly way of having two separate entries for each plant.
,
363
Title
Technical Information on 134 Species of Bolivian Woods
Publication
 
Author
USDA Forest Service -- Forest Products Lab
Website
http://www2.fpl.fs.fed.us/publications/
Publisher
USDA Forest Service
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
A PDF file, available for download. Exactly what the title says, brief and to the point.
,
419
Title
Brazilian Trees. Volume 1. 4th Edition.
Publication
 
Author
Lorenzi. H.
Publisher
Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora; Brazil.
Year
2002
ISBN
85-86714-17-8
Description
Information on 350 species of Brazilian trees. Stunning photographs of each species, brief details on the plant, its uses and how to grow it from seed. A superb work, with the minor irritation that the translation from Portuguese is not of the best.
]. Traditionally, it was favoured as a wood for making bows[
476
Title
Handbook of S. American Indians.
Publication
Bureau of American Ethnology, Bulletin 143
Author
Steward J. H. (Editor)
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
US Government Printing Office; Washington
Year
1946 - 1950
ISBN
 
Description
In six volumes, a detailed look at the native peoples of S. America - their culture, lifestyle, use of plants etc,
].

Most species of Handroanthus, almost certainly including this one, produce a very hard, heavy and durable timber known collectively as 'Ipê' and widely traded under that name. Most Ipê wood comes from this genus (Handroanthus), though some also comes from the genera Tabebuia and Roseodendron. The general description of Ipê wood, when produced from Handroanthus species is as follows:-
The heartwood is yellowish brown to dark olive brown, sometimes with thin veins; it is clearly demarcated from the 3 - 9cm wide band of lighter-coloured sapwood. The texture is usually fine, though it is medium in some species; the grain is interlocked; there are canals in the wood containing a greenish-yellow deposit of the naphthoquinon 'lapachol'. The wood is very heavy; very hard; elastic; it is very durable, even in contact with the soil, resisting fungi, dry wood borers and termites. It seasons slowly, but with only a low risk of checking or distortion; once dry it is moderately stable in service. The wood has a fairly high blunting effect - stellite-tipped and tungsten carbide tools are recommended; there can be some difficulties due to the interlocked grain; filling is recommended in order to get a good finish; nailing and screwing are good , but require pre-boring; gluing is correct for internal use only, and needs to be done with care because the wood is so dense. Ipê is a very durable and strong wood that has a very wide range of uses, especially for outdoor applications. It is used for making high class furniture, cabinet work, heavy construction, railway sleepers, bridges, hydraulic works, industrial flooring, decking, posts and poles, turnery, musical instruments, tool handles, veneer etc[
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 - best sown as soon as ripe in a nursery seedbed or individual containers[
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.
,
419
Title
Brazilian Trees. Volume 1. 4th Edition.
Publication
 
Author
Lorenzi. H.
Publisher
Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora; Brazil.
Year
2002
ISBN
85-86714-17-8
Description
Information on 350 species of Brazilian trees. Stunning photographs of each species, brief details on the plant, its uses and how to grow it from seed. A superb work, with the minor irritation that the translation from Portuguese is not of the best.
]. The germination rate is usually high, occurring in 10 - 12 days. Seedlings grow away quickly and are usually ready to plant out in less than 4 months[
419
Title
Brazilian Trees. Volume 1. 4th Edition.
Publication
 
Author
Lorenzi. H.
Publisher
Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora; Brazil.
Year
2002
ISBN
85-86714-17-8
Description
Information on 350 species of Brazilian trees. Stunning photographs of each species, brief details on the plant, its uses and how to grow it from seed. A superb work, with the minor irritation that the translation from Portuguese is not of the best.
].
Air layering.
Cuttings of half ripe wood.
Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2024-12-10. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Handroanthus+impetiginosus>

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