Common Name:

General Information

Swartzia arborescens is an evergreen tree with a flat or open crown; it can grow from 5 - 10 metres tall. The straight, usually cylindrical bole can be unbranched for up to 5 metres[].
The tree is harvested from the wild for its wood.

Known Hazards

The sawdust from wood of plants in this genus can be irritating to mill workers[].

Botanical References

Range

S. America - Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, the Guyanas.

Habitat

Open patches in fairly dense, flood-free forest at elevations around 120 metres[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	8.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

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

None known

Other Uses

The heartwood is dark brown; the sapwood almost white or pale yellow, in some specimens with pale brown or greyish streaks[]. The texture is fine; grain straight or interlocked, when seasoned it is odourless and tasteless. The wood is moderately heavy to heavy and tenacious; inclined to be fibrous, probably durable. It is not easy to work; takes a smooth finish[].
We have no more information on the wood of this species. However, a general description of the wood from plants in this genus is as follows:-
The heartwood is dark brown, reddish-brown, or nearly black, in solid colour or somewhat variegated; it is sharply demarcated from the nearly white to yellowish sapwood. The texture is very fine to medium; the grain straight to irregular; lustre is usually medium; there is no distinctive odour or taste. The heartwood is very resistant to attack by decay fungi and resistant to dry-wood termites, though it is not resistant to marine borers. The wood is generally reported to be moderately difficult to air dry because of checking and warp. It is difficult to work because of its high density, but it finishes very smoothly and takes a high polish. It is used for purposes such as inlay, parquet flooring, turnery, furniture, cabinetwork, violin bows, specialty items; and has been suggested as a substitute for ebony[].

Propagation

Seed -

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