Common Name:

General Information

Ruprechtia exploratricis is an evergreen tree with a very dense, upright crown; it can grow 10 - 25 metres tall. The bole is normally short, branching from low down, with a very thick bark[].
The tree is harvested from the wild for its wood. It can be used as a pioneer when restoring native woodland and, being an ornamental plant, it can be used in landscaping[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - Paraguay, central Brazil, Bolivia.

Habitat

Savannah woodland on clayey calcareous soils growing on the drier slopes and also on valley bottoms in areas not subject to inundation[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	18.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Requires a sunny position[]. Found in the wild on well-drained, clayey, calcareous soils[]. Existing plants are drought tolerant[].
Plants have a moderately fast rate of growth, reaching a height of around 2 metres within 2 years from seed[].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

A fairly fast-growing plant that succeeds in full sun, it can be used as a pioneer species when restoring native woodland[].

Other Uses

The wood is medium-textured, straight-grained, moderately heavy, soft, flexible, with moderate mechanical properties and moderately durable when exposed to the elements. It is used in internal general constructions for purposes such as scantlings, laths, beams etc; for making furniture, barrels, lathe work, tool handles etc[].
The wood is used for fuel and to make charcoal[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a sunny position in a nursery seedbed. A moderate germination rate can usually be expected, with the seed sprouting within 20 - 30 days[]. When the seedlings are 5 - 6cm tall, pot them up into individual containers and they should be ready to plant out when 25 - 35cm tall[].

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