Common Name:

General Information

Handroanthus vellosoi is a deciduous shrub or tree that can grow 15 - 25 metres tall. The bole can be 40 - 70cm in diameter[].
The tree produces a valuable wood and so is often harvested from the wild. An extremely ornamental tree, especially when in full bloom, it has been adopted as the symbol of Brazilian trees[].

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

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

None known

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 etc[].

Most species of Handroanthus, almost certainly including this one, produce a very hard, heavy and durable timber known as Ipe. The general description of Ipe wood 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 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 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. A very durable and strong wood, it 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, 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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