Common Name: Sandbox Tree

General Information

Sandbox tree is a fast-growing, semi-deciduous tree with a heavy bole and limbs that are covered in spines[]. In closed forests it can grow up to 50 metres tall, but in more open sites is usually rather smaller, in the range of 12 - 20 metres[, ]. The straight, cylindrical bole is often basally swollen, or has small buttresses. It can be unbranched for up to 30 metres and boles 200cm in diameter have been reported, though 90 - 150cm is more common[].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of materials. The wood is sometimes traded. The tree is grown to provide shade in plantations and is widely cultivated as an ornamental in tropical regions of America, Africa and Asia[]. It is often planted along roadsides and in parks[].

Known Hazards

All parts of the plant contain a latex that is very toxic and can cause blindness if it comes into contact with the eyes[, ]. It is used in the making of arrow and fish poison[]. The latex contains the toxic diterpene hura-toxin[].

Botanical References

Range

S. America - Peru, Bolivia and Brazil, north to the Caribbean and Nicaragua in Central America.

Habitat

Moist coastal forests[]. Rainforests, often in areas subject to seasonal inundation[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Semi-deciduous Tree
Height	12.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in humid, lowland, tropical and subtropical climates[, ].
Prefers a fertile, well-drained soil and a position in full sun[]. Established plants are very drought tolerant[]. Plants are susceptible to wind damage[].
A fast growing tree, easily reaching a height of 4 metres within 2 years from seed[].
The seeds develop within a somewhat spherical woody capsule made up of a number of sections like segments of an orange. When ripe, this capsule breaks apart explosively with a loud report, scattering the seed up to 14 metres away[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The leaves, bark, fruits, seeds, seed oil, and latex are all used medicinally[].

The bark is emetic and purgative[].
The sap in bark is toxic. Though it is said to be a remedy for leprosy[, ].
The milky sap is caustic and irritant[].

An infusion of the leaves is used as a body-rub for treating leprosy[].

The seed contains a glucosamine lectin having mitogenic and haemaglutinating properties[].

A viscous oil obtained from the seed is a very strong (drastic) purgative and emetic[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Grown as a shade tree in plantations of cacao etc, or as a support for vanilla plants[].

Other Uses

The woody shells of unripe fruits are sometimes used as small boxes[]. They were at one time very fashionable accessories to the writing desk, used as sandboxes. These were containers of a fine sand which was traditionally sprinkled over wet ink in order to dry it[]. When filled with sand they are also used as paperweights[].
The sandbox was made by harvesting the young fruit and holding the sections together with wire or by pouring molten lead into the centre before decorating and polishing it[].

The heartwood is pale, yellowish-brown to dark brown, indistinct purplish or greenish streaks and a slight ribbon stripe on the radial surface often give the wood an attractive figure. The heartwood varies from indistinct to, at times, sharply demarcated from the 15 - 25cm wide band of yellowish-white sapwood. The texture is fine to medium; the grain is straight to interlocked, but more often interlocked; the lustre is high; there is no distinctive odour, but a caustic taste is sometimes mentioned. The wood is moderately soft and light in weight, moderately durable but very susceptible to termite damage. It is somewhat slow to season, with a high risk of checking and distortion; once dry it is stable in service. The wood has a fairly high blunting effect, so stellite-tipped and tungsten carbide tools are usually recommended; it takes stain well; nailing and screwing are poor to satisfactorily; gluing is correct. It is utilized for general carpentry, interior construction, boxes, crates, veneers and plywood, furniture and joinery[, , , , ]. Traditionally it has been used to make dugout canoes[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a partially shaded position in individual containers. A high germination rate can normally be expected, with the seed sprouting within 30 - 40 days[]. They will be ready to plant out 4 - 5 months later[].
Large cuttings[].

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