Common Name:

General Information

Luehea speciosa is a large shrub or, more commonly, a tree with a spreading crown, that can sometimes grow up to 25 metres tall. The bole is often buttressed and is around 45 - 60cm in diameter[].
The tree is sometimes harvested from the wild for its fibre, which is used locally.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, the Guyanas; C. America - Panama to southern Mexico; Caribbean - Cuba.

Habitat

Dry or moist forest or thickets, sometimes in pine forest, at elevations from near sea level to 1,100 metres[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	15.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

A fibre is obtained from the bark[].

The wood is white when first cut, but upon exposure turns pale pinkish brown or reddish[].
We do not have any more information on the wood of this species, but a general description of the wood of this genus is as follows:-
The heartwood is brown or brownish, sometimes with a pinkish tinge, and more or less streaked; it is not clearly demarcated from the sapwood. The texture is fine to medium; the grain straight to finely roey; lustre varies from low to fairly high; there is no distinctive odour or taste. It is not very durable, being vulnerable to attack by decay fungi and insects. It air dries rapidly with little or no degrade. The wood is reported to be easy to work, though one member of the genus is said to be difficult to plane, and another is difficult to turn. It is used for low value items such as millwork, furniture components, flooring, general construction, boxes and crates, veneer and plywood, particleboard, and shoe heels[].

Propagation

Seed -

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