Pterodon pubescens (Benth.) Benth., treated here as a synonym, is recognised as a distinct species in the on-line Flora Do Brasil. If it gains more widespread acceptance as a distinct species then it is fairly certain that the uses detailed below will apply equally to the two species[].

Common Name:

General Information

Pterodon emarginatus is a deciduous tree with an ellipsoid crown; it can grow 8 - 16 metres tall. The more or less straight, cylindrical bole can be 30 - 60cm in diameter[, ].
The tree yields a very durable timber and is also the source of an oil that can be used to prevent schistosomiasis. It is commonly harvested from the wild and its wood is traded. It can be used as a pioneer species when restoring woodland and is a very ornamental tree, though it is not as yet cultivated[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - central, eastern and northern Brazil, Bolivia.

Habitat

Savannah and its transition to semideciduous forest, often in dense groups, characteristic of dry and sandy areas[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	12.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Requires a sunny position[]. Prefers the drier, sandy soils in the wild, but in cultivation can tolerate a wider range of conditions so long as the soil is well-drained[]. Established plants are very drought tolerant[].
A slow-growing tree when very young, though it does speed up somewhat after 2 - 3 years[, ].
Although many species within the family Fabaceae have a symbiotic relationship with soil bacteria, this species is said to be devoid of such a relationship and therefore does not fix atmospheric nitrogen[].

Edible Uses

An extract from the bark is used to flavour liqueurs[].

Medicinal

An essential oil obtained from the bark is applied externally to affected areas in the treatment of rheumatism[].
An extract from the bark is used to flavour medicines[].

A tuberous swelling that is occasionally found on the roots, known as 'batata de sucupira', is used in the treatment of diabetes[].

The oil from the fruits has been shown to inhibit the penetration of Schistosoma cercariae (the larval stage that causes schistosomiasis) into the skin of humans[]. The oil can therefore be used as a prophylactic treatment to prevent the disease[]. This property is due to the presence of 14,15-epoxigeranylgeraniol in the oil[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Although slow-growing, this species makes a good component in planting schemes for restoring native woodland, especially in the drier areas of the cerrado and adjoining semideciduous forest[].

Other Uses

The wood is compact, cross-grained, heavy, very hard, difficult to split, with excellent mechanical properties and very durable, even when in contact with the soil. It is used in naval construction, general construction, bridge stanchions, poles, railway sleepers, cart bodies etc[].
The wood is used for fuel and to make charcoal[].

Propagation

Seed - it has a hard seedcoat and may benefit from scarification before sowing to speed up 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. Seedlings are very sensitive to root disturbance, so the seed is best sown as soon as it is ripe in a partially shaded position in individual containers. A very low germination rate can be expected from untreated seed, with the seed sprouting within 30 - 50 days[].

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