Common Name: Angico

General Information

Parapiptadenia rigida is a deciduous tree growing 20 - 30 metres tall[]. The bole is usually straight and free of branches for up to 15metres[]. Not heavily buttressed, it can be 60 - 110cm in diameter[].
The tree is harvested from the wild, mainly for the good quality gum it yields and its excellent timber.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Southern S. America - Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Brazil and Bolivia.

Habitat

Broadleaved and semi-deciduous forests at elevations up to 800 metres[]. Frequently found in open and less densely forested areas[]. Mixed hardwood forests at low altitudes and moderately deep soils[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	25.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of mainly subtropical areas, just entering the tropics, found at lowland elevations up to 800 metres.
Prefers a sunny position[]. Succeeds in most soils[].
Young plants establish well and grow away quickly[].
The flowers are a rich source of nectar for the bees[].
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

The bark is bitter[]. It is used in the treatment of haemorrhages and to cure wounds and ulcers[].

Agroforestry Uses:

A fast-growing, nitrogen-fixing plant, it is a pioneer species in its native range[]. It is recommended for reforestation projects[].

Other Uses

A gum, known as gum angico, is obtained from the tree[]. It is largely used in Brazil, where it is regarded as
being superior to the better known gum arabic, obtained from various Acacia spp[]. The plant is very productive[].

The bark is rich in tannins[]. The bark contains about 48% tannin[].

The sapwood is yellowish or pinkish-grey, not well defined from the heartwood, which is pale reddish-brown often marked with darker uniform stripes[]. The wood is heavy, very hard, compact, of high durability outdoors[]. It is excellent for outdoor work, even when exposed to water and is used for shipbuilding, poles, stakes, railway sleepers, wagons, carpentry and cabinet making[, ].
The wood is used for fuel and to make charcoal[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe, when it will not require any pre-treatment[]. Sow in seedbeds or in individual containers and provide light shade.

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