Common Name:

General Information

Ormosia isthmensis is an evergreen tree with a spreading or rounded crown; it can grow around 50 metres tall. The bole can be 60cm or more in diameter, sometimes with small buttresses[, ].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use of its wood.

Known Hazards

The plants, but especially the seed and perhaps also the bark, of many if not all species in this genus contain alkaloids and are toxic[].
The seeds of this species are considered locally to be highly poisonous[].

Botanical References

,

Range

S. America - Colombia; C. America - Panama to southern Mexico.

Habitat

A canopy tree in rainforests at elevations up to 800 metres[]. Wet forests at elevations up to 1,200 metres in Guatemala[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	45.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria; these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

We have seen no specific reports for this species, but the brightly coloured seeds of various members of this genus are so commonly used as beads that the tree is known as the necklace tree[]. In Costa Rica wearing the seeds is believed to guard against misfortune and bad luck[].

The wood is strong and durable[]. It is used for axe handles, railroad ties, house-posts, and general construction[, ].
We do not have any more information on the wood of this species, but a general description for the wood of S. American members of this genus is as follows:-
The heartwood is pinkish to reddish, mostly salmon-coloured, sometimes yellowish-brown, more or less streaked; it is not always distinct from the yellowish sapwood. The texture is coarse to very coarse; the grain mostly irregular; lustre usually medium; it feels harsh; there is no distinctive odour or taste. The wood is generally reported to be quite susceptible to attack by decay fungi; it is vulnerable to dry-wood termites, and prone to powder-post beetle attack
(sapwood). It generally air dries very slowly; checking and warp vary from slight to moderate. For most species, the wood is reported to saw and machine easily, with fair to good results; surfaces, however, are somewhat rough and difficult to finish. It is used for furniture components, interior construction, general carpentry, and utility veneer[].

Propagation

Like many species within the family Fabaceae, once they have been dried for storage the seeds of this species may benefit from scarification before sowing in order to speed up and improve germination. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water. By this time they should have imbibed moisture and swollen - if they have not, then carefully make a nick in the seedcoat (being careful not to damage the embryo) and soak for a further 12 hours before sowing[].

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