Common Name:

General Information

Simira gardneriana is a deciduous tree with an upright but irregular, open crown; it can grow 4 - 7 metres tall. The short, somewhat crooked bole can be 15 - 25cm in diameter[, ].
The plant is sometimes harvested from the wild for local use of its wood, which is also probably the source of a dye that is traded.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - northeast Brazil.

Habitat

Semi-arid forest and scrubland, growing in both areas of more dense growth as well as in more open areas, preferring clay soils on gently sloping land[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	5.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the 'Caatinga' dry forest region of northeast Brazil. The climate is hot and dry, there are usually 6 to 11 months without rain each year. The mean annual rainfall varies from 250 - 1,000mm, and the mean annual temperature is from 24 - 26°c. This species has been found so far in areas with 500 - 700mm annual rainfall[].
Requires a sunny position[]. Prefers a well-drained, clay soil[]. Found in the wild in poor, sandy soils[]. Established plants are drought tolerant[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

We have no specific information for this species, but the wood and the bark of many species in this genus yield a red dye that is used commercially[].

The wood is coarse-textured, straight-grained, moderately heavy, with moderate mechanical properties and not very durable. It is used locally for rural construction and in fences[, ].
The wood is used for fuel[].
We have no more information for the wood from this species, but a general description of the wood from this genus is as follows:-
The heartwood is rather dark brown, usually poorly developed; the sapwood usually becoming red, pink, or violet-rose throughout or more often variegated and often fading to yellowish-brown on the surface. The texture is rather fine and uniform; the grain straight to irregular; lustre is medium to low; the wood is odourless when dry, the taste slightly bitter. Based on a laboratory evaluation, the wood is reported to have moderate resistance to attack by decay fungi. Working properties are reported as good. The wood is used for purposes such as turnery, boxes and crates, interior trim, millwork, light construction[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a partially shaded position in a nursery seedbed. A low germination rate can usually be expected, with the seed sprouting within 80 - 120 days[].

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