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Useful Tropical Plants

Protium attenuatum

(Rose) Urb.

Burseraceae

+ Synonyms

Icica attenuata Rose

Common Name: Encens

No Image.

General Information

Encens is an evergreen tree growing up to 27 metres tall, The straight, cylindrical bole is nearly unbuttressed and up to 60cm in diameter[
378
Title
Present and Potential Commercial Timbers of the Caribbean
Publication
USDA Agricultural Handbook No. 207
Author
Longwood.F.R.
Publisher
USDA Forest Service; Washington, DC.
Year
1962
ISBN
 
Description
Quite detailed information on more than 60 species of Caribbean timber trees, giving species descriptions, habitat, detailed info on the wood and some info on other uses. Available for download on the internet.
].
The tree is harvested from the wild for its aromatic resin and timber which are widely used locally.
Over-exploitation for resin and timber has reportedly decimated this species across most of its restricted range, including Guadeloupe, Dominica, and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. On Martinique, one of the largest islands within its range, fewer than 50 individuals remain. Precise information on populations is lacking and so the plant is classified as 'Data Deficient' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2011)[
338
Title
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.iucnredlist.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References


Range

Caribbean - Trinidad to Guadeloupe.

Habitat

Rainforests on a range of soils and sites[
378
Title
Present and Potential Commercial Timbers of the Caribbean
Publication
USDA Agricultural Handbook No. 207
Author
Longwood.F.R.
Publisher
USDA Forest Service; Washington, DC.
Year
1962
ISBN
 
Description
Quite detailed information on more than 60 species of Caribbean timber trees, giving species descriptions, habitat, detailed info on the wood and some info on other uses. Available for download on the internet.
].

Properties

Conservation StatusData Deficient
Other Uses Rating *  *  *
HabitEvergreen Tree
Height20.00 m
Self-fertileNo
Cultivation StatusWild

Cultivation Details



Most, if not all, species in this genus are dioecious, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required[
745
Title
Novon Vol. 9
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
Publisher
Missouri Botanical Garden; Missouri.
Year
1999
ISBN
 
Description
A botanical publication with a main focus on publishing the names of new and renamed species. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

An aromatic resin is derived from the bark. It is widely used locally as an incense in churches and household shrines.

The heartwood is pink; the sapwood white. The grain is uniform and fine, texture is fine[
378
Title
Present and Potential Commercial Timbers of the Caribbean
Publication
USDA Agricultural Handbook No. 207
Author
Longwood.F.R.
Publisher
USDA Forest Service; Washington, DC.
Year
1962
ISBN
 
Description
Quite detailed information on more than 60 species of Caribbean timber trees, giving species descriptions, habitat, detailed info on the wood and some info on other uses. Available for download on the internet.
]. The wood is relatively soft; light; fairly elastic; splits easily; of low durability, succumbing very quickly to insects or decay[
378
Title
Present and Potential Commercial Timbers of the Caribbean
Publication
USDA Agricultural Handbook No. 207
Author
Longwood.F.R.
Publisher
USDA Forest Service; Washington, DC.
Year
1962
ISBN
 
Description
Quite detailed information on more than 60 species of Caribbean timber trees, giving species descriptions, habitat, detailed info on the wood and some info on other uses. Available for download on the internet.
]. It works easily and well with all power and hand tools; planes to a smooth lustrous surface; saws easily across the grain but leaves a rough edge; drills easily, and takes nails without splitting[
378
Title
Present and Potential Commercial Timbers of the Caribbean
Publication
USDA Agricultural Handbook No. 207
Author
Longwood.F.R.
Publisher
USDA Forest Service; Washington, DC.
Year
1962
ISBN
 
Description
Quite detailed information on more than 60 species of Caribbean timber trees, giving species descriptions, habitat, detailed info on the wood and some info on other uses. Available for download on the internet.
]. The wood polishes well and is very attractive when finished, resembling mahogany when well finished[
378
Title
Present and Potential Commercial Timbers of the Caribbean
Publication
USDA Agricultural Handbook No. 207
Author
Longwood.F.R.
Publisher
USDA Forest Service; Washington, DC.
Year
1962
ISBN
 
Description
Quite detailed information on more than 60 species of Caribbean timber trees, giving species descriptions, habitat, detailed info on the wood and some info on other uses. Available for download on the internet.
]. It is used for furniture, cabinetmaking, interior panelling and trim, and other uses where a durable timber is not required. It is also used for boxes and crates[
378
Title
Present and Potential Commercial Timbers of the Caribbean
Publication
USDA Agricultural Handbook No. 207
Author
Longwood.F.R.
Publisher
USDA Forest Service; Washington, DC.
Year
1962
ISBN
 
Description
Quite detailed information on more than 60 species of Caribbean timber trees, giving species descriptions, habitat, detailed info on the wood and some info on other uses. Available for download on the internet.
].

Propagation

Seed -
Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2024-10-06. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Protium+attenuatum>

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