Common Name: Massaranduba

General Information

Massaranduba is a large, evergreen tree with a roundish, open crown[]. It grows from 30 - 50 metres tall with a bole that can be 1 - 3 metres in diameter, with prop roots[, ].
The edible fruit is widely appreciated and it is often gathered from the wild for local use. The tree also produces a latex that can be drunk in the same way as milk, and an excellent timber, which is used locally and also traded[]. The tree is sometimes cultivated for its fruit, which is sold locally in the markets[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Northern S. America - Brazil, Venezuela, French Guiana, Surinam, Guyana.

Habitat

Rainforests, in areas that do not become inundated[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	40.00 m
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Grows best in a sunny position[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw[]. A juicy, aromatic pulp with a sweet flavour[].

A drinkable milk exudes from the cut bark[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The latex is a source of an inferior balata in Guyana[]. Balata is a gum, resembling rubber, used to make gaskets, chewing gum etc[].

The heartwood is dark red brown with purplish shade; it is clearly demarcated from the 4 - 6cm wide band of whitish to pale brown sapwood. It is finely and uniformly textured; usually straight-grained. The wood is very hard, very heavy, tough, strong, elastic; very durable, even in contact with the soil, being very resistant to fungi, dry wood borers and termites, but susceptible to marine borers. It seasons slowly, with a high risk of checking and distortion; once dry it is poorly stable in service. The wood has a fairly high blunting effect, stellite-tipped and tungsten carbide tools are recommended; nailing and screwing are good, but require pre-boring; gluing is correct for internal purposes only, and needs to be done with care because of the density of the wood. The wood is used for several purposes, both internal and external. It is used for purposes such as sculpture, tool handles, industrial or heavy flooring, sliced veneer, stairs, furniture , ship building, wood frame house, bridges, posts, stakes, sleepers, heavy carpentry[, ].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe[]. Sow in a well-drained seedbed in semi-shade[]. Germination usually takes place in 4 - 8 weeks, though germination rates are usually low[].

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