Common Name: Caixeta

General Information

Tabebuia cassinoides is a semi-deciduous tree with a narrow, pyramidal crown; it can grow around 6 - 18 metres tall. The bole can be 30 - 40cm in diameter[, ].
The tree is sometimes harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of wood and cork. It can be grown in reforestation projects, especially in wet soils, for re-establishing native woodland. It is suitable for use as an ornamental[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - eastern and southern Brazil.

Habitat

Coastal forests, usually in ground that is marshy or subject to periodic inundation, and often in secondary formations; at elevations around sea level[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Semi-deciduous Tree
Height	9.00 m
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Grows best in a sunny position[]. Found in very moist to marshy soils in the wild, in cultivation the tree will also succeed in drier conditions[].
Plants generally have a moderate rate of growth[].
Ants nests are frequently found in the hollowed-out stems of this species[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The root is used in the treatment of intestinal catarrh, chronic enteritis, diarrhoea and dysentery[]. It improves the appetite, facilitates digestion, and treats anaemia[].

Agroforestry Uses:

A natural pioneer species in wetter soils, it is a good choice for reforestation projects in marshy soils and for gallery forests[].

Other Uses

A cork can be obtained from the thick bark[]. It can be used as a substitute for the cork obtained from the European oaks[].

The light spongy wood of the roots has been reportedly used for making lifebuoys, razor straps, and inner shoe soles[].

The heartwood and sapwood are not clearly differentiated. The wood is moderately textured; fine grained; smooth surfaced; very light in weight; soft; of low durability when exposed to the elements[]. It is used for making toys, fine wooden boxes, the soles and heels of shoes, matches, frames, pencils, guitars, bowls, spoons, ladles etc[, ]. The wood is also pulped and used to make paper[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a partially shaded position in a nursery seedbed. A germination rate in excess of 70% can be expected, with the seed sprouting within 7 - 12 days[]. When the seedlings are 5 - 6cm tall, pot them up into individual containers and they should be ready to plant out 6 - 8 months later.
The seed has a short viability of less than 40 days in storage[].

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