Some authorities treat Mora megistosperma (treated here as a synonym) as a distinct species[].

Common Name:

General Information

Mora oleifera is a tall tree growing from 15 - 45 metres tall. The bole, which is often buttressed, can be free of branches for 10 - 15 metres and up to 1 metre in diameter[, , ]. The tree often has horizontal, almost superficial roots that run for a long distance[]. The tree produces huge seeds 18 x 12cm, perhaps the largest produced by any dicotyledonous plant[].
A good quality wood is obtained from the plant that is used locally and also exported. A dye is also obtained from the tree and used locally.
Destruction of its environment by clearing the land for development and agriculture, combined with heavy extraction rates of the tree, have greatly reduced its population. The tree is classified as 'Vulnerable' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2010)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Northeast S. America - Ecuador, Colombia; C. America - Panama, Costa Rica.

Habitat

Forests, usually on land that is inundated for part of the year[]. Forming extensive forests on the inner tidal belt of the Pacific coast of Panama.

Properties

Conservation Status	Vulnerable
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	35.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of low elevations in the tropics, usually found near sea level and up to 450 metres.
Plants are tolerant of seasonal inundation of the soil[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

A dark red dye is obtained from the seeds[]. The huge seeds are 18 x 12cm[].

The heartwood is a pinkish-brown to a red-brown, sometimes with thin, darker veins; it is clearly demarcated from the 5 - 15cm wide band of nearly white sapwood. The texture is medium; the grain interlocked. The wood is very heavy; hard to very hard; strong; tough; elastic; very durable, being resistant to fungi, dry wood borers and termites. The wood seasons slowly, with a high risk of checking and distortion; once dry it is moderately to poorly stable in service. The wood has a high blunting effect, stellite-tipped and tungsten carbide tools are recommended; it is hard to saw due to the hardness of the wood and the interlocked grain; nailing and screwing are good, but pre-boring is required; gluing is correct for interior use only and requires care because of the dense wood. It is used especially for heavy duty outdoor work such as railway sleepers, hydraulic works in fresh water, bridges, heavy carpentry, poles, tool handles, industrial flooring and turnery[, ].
The wood can be used to make an excellent charcoal[].

Propagation

Seed -

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