Plants of the World online gives the correct name for this species as Handroanthus speciosus (DC. ex Mart.) ined. (see https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:77176840-1, accessed 06/06/2022)

Common Name: Ipê Preto

General Information

Handroanthus vellosoi is a much-branched, deciduous shrub or tree with a dense, leafy crown; it can grow from 2 - 25 metres tall. The bole can be unbranched for 8- 10 metres and around 40 - 80cm in diameter[, , ].
The tree is often harvested from the wild for its valuable wood and is also harvested locally for medicinal purposes. An extremely ornamental tree, especially when in full bloom, it has been adopted as the symbol of Brazilian trees[].
Handroanthus vellosoi has a wide distribution, large population and is also found in protected areas. Although firm data is not available, the tree is harvested commercially for its valuable timber. More research needs to be carried out into the effects of this exploitation, though currently the plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2021)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - southern and eastern Brazil.

Habitat

The Atlantic rainforest, where it is found mainly in dense primary forest[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	20.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in a sunny position and also in moderate shade[].
Plants have a moderate rate of growth, not exceeding a height of 2.5 metres within 2 years from seed[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The bark is used medicinally[]. No further information. (As Bignonia longiflora Vell.)
The bark is used medicinally as an antidiuretic and cathartic[]. (As Bignonia longiflora Well.)

We have no specific information for this species, but the inner bark of the various Handroanthus species has been shown to contain several pharmacologically active compounds. In particular, the bark has astringent and anti-inflammatory properties and several species are used to treat skin disorders, fungal infections, wounds etc, as well as a various inflammatory diseases, cancer etc[, ].
The bark contains 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

The wood is heavy; very hard; very durable, even under adverse conditions. It is good for external applications such as beams for bridges, fencing posts and poles, and is also used for making barrels, walking sticks, wagons, lathe work, joinery, carpentry 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[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a partially shaded position in a nursery seedbed or in individual containers. A germination rate in excess of 60% can be expected, with the seed sprouting within 6 - 12 days[]. When the seedbed-sown seedlings are 4 - 6cm tall, pot them up into individual containers and they should be ready to plant out 4 - 6 months later[].
The seed has a very short viability of less than 4 months in storage[].

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