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Useful Tropical Plants

Tabebuia insignis

(Miq.) Sandwith

Bignoniaceae

+ Synonyms

Bignonia dura Klotzsch ex R.Knuth

Gelseminum insigne (Miq.) Kuntze

Handroanthus durus (Bureau & K.Schum.) Mattos

Tabebuia dura (Bureau & K.Schum.) Sprague & Sandwith

Tabebuia fluviatilis Klotzsch

Tabebuia leucoxylon Mart.

Tabebuia longipes Baker

Tabebuia roraimae Oliv.

Tabebuia triphylla Klotzsch

Tecoma albiflora Ducke

Tecoma dura Bureau & K.Schum.

Tecoma insignis Miq.

Tecoma roraimae (Oliv.) K.Schum.

Common Name:

Tabebuia insignis
Tree growing in native habitat
Photograph by: A. Gentry
Creative Commons License
Tabebuia insignis Tabebuia insignis

General Information

Tabebuia insignis varies in habit from a deciduous shrub or small tree when growing in savannah to a large tree up to 40 metres tall in swamp and marsh forests[
422
Title
Fruits of the Guianan Flora
Publication
 
Author
van Roosmalen. M.G.M.
Publisher
Institute of Systematic Boyany, Utrecht University; Netherlands.
Year
1985
ISBN
90-9000988-4
Description
Terse descriptions of over 1,700 species from the Guianas that bear fruits - not necessarily edible! Often mentions if the fruit is edible, plus gives brief description of habit and habitat.
]. The bole has a moderately poor form and a heavy taper above fluted buttresses that can be 3.5 metres tall; it can be 30 - 40cm in diameter and free of branches for around 15 metres[
378
Title
Present and Potential Commercial Timbers of the Caribbean
Publication
USDA Agricultural Handbook No. 207
Author
Longwood.F.R.
Publisher
USDA Forest Service; Washington, DC.
Year
1962
ISBN
 
Description
Quite detailed information on more than 60 species of Caribbean timber trees, giving species descriptions, habitat, detailed info on the wood and some info on other uses. Available for download on the internet.
].
The tree is harvested from the wild for its timber and local use as a medicine.
Tabebuia insignis is one of many species that are a source of IpĂȘ, a valuable timber that is harvested in large quantities for trade. Threats to this species due to over-exploitation and destruction of its environment are continuing and may grow in the coming decades, therefore it is suspected that this species will experience a population decline of at least 25% over the next 100 years. The plant is classified as 'Near Threatened' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2021)[
338
Title
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.iucnredlist.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

422
Title
Fruits of the Guianan Flora
Publication
 
Author
van Roosmalen. M.G.M.
Publisher
Institute of Systematic Boyany, Utrecht University; Netherlands.
Year
1985
ISBN
90-9000988-4
Description
Terse descriptions of over 1,700 species from the Guianas that bear fruits - not necessarily edible! Often mentions if the fruit is edible, plus gives brief description of habit and habitat.
,
2095
Title
Bignoniaceae: Part II (Tribe Tecomeae)
Publication
Flora Neotropica Monograph Vol. 25, No. 2 pp 1-370
Author
Gentry A.H.
Publisher
The New York Botanical Garden, New York
Year
1992
ISBN
0-89327-368-6
Description
 

Range

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

Habitat

A shrub or small tree in scrub savannah and savannah forest, or growing much larger in marsh and swamp forests; at elevations from near sea level to 1,700 metres[
422
Title
Fruits of the Guianan Flora
Publication
 
Author
van Roosmalen. M.G.M.
Publisher
Institute of Systematic Boyany, Utrecht University; Netherlands.
Year
1985
ISBN
90-9000988-4
Description
Terse descriptions of over 1,700 species from the Guianas that bear fruits - not necessarily edible! Often mentions if the fruit is edible, plus gives brief description of habit and habitat.
,
2095
Title
Bignoniaceae: Part II (Tribe Tecomeae)
Publication
Flora Neotropica Monograph Vol. 25, No. 2 pp 1-370
Author
Gentry A.H.
Publisher
The New York Botanical Garden, New York
Year
1992
ISBN
0-89327-368-6
Description
 
].

Properties

Conservation StatusNear Threatened
Medicinal Rating *  *
Other Uses Rating *  *  *
HabitDeciduous Tree
Height25.00 m
Growth RateFast
Cultivation StatusWild

Cultivation Details



Newly planted young trees can reach a height of 2.5 metres within 2 years[
419
Title
Brazilian Trees. Volume 1. 4th Edition.
Publication
 
Author
Lorenzi. H.
Publisher
Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora; Brazil.
Year
2002
ISBN
85-86714-17-8
Description
Information on 350 species of Brazilian trees. Stunning photographs of each species, brief details on the plant, its uses and how to grow it from seed. A superb work, with the minor irritation that the translation from Portuguese is not of the best.
].
Plants can commence flowering when only 1 metre tall[
419
Title
Brazilian Trees. Volume 1. 4th Edition.
Publication
 
Author
Lorenzi. H.
Publisher
Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora; Brazil.
Year
2002
ISBN
85-86714-17-8
Description
Information on 350 species of Brazilian trees. Stunning photographs of each species, brief details on the plant, its uses and how to grow it from seed. A superb work, with the minor irritation that the translation from Portuguese is not of the best.
].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The bark is used in the treatment of malaria[
348
Title
Medicinal Plants of the Guianas
Publication
 
Author
DeFilipps, R. A.; Maina, S. L.; & Crepin, J.
Website
http://botany.si.edu/bdg/medicinal/index.html
Publisher
Smithsonian Museum
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
A down-loadable PDF document of a book in pre-publication awaiting illustration. An excellent, if rather terse, guide to the traditional medicinal uses of the plants of the region
]. An infusion is used for treating skin diseases and syphilis[
348
Title
Medicinal Plants of the Guianas
Publication
 
Author
DeFilipps, R. A.; Maina, S. L.; & Crepin, J.
Website
http://botany.si.edu/bdg/medicinal/index.html
Publisher
Smithsonian Museum
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
A down-loadable PDF document of a book in pre-publication awaiting illustration. An excellent, if rather terse, guide to the traditional medicinal uses of the plants of the region
].

Agroforestry Uses:

A pioneer species in its native range, the seed germinating rapidly and young plants growing away quickly[
419
Title
Brazilian Trees. Volume 1. 4th Edition.
Publication
 
Author
Lorenzi. H.
Publisher
Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora; Brazil.
Year
2002
ISBN
85-86714-17-8
Description
Information on 350 species of Brazilian trees. Stunning photographs of each species, brief details on the plant, its uses and how to grow it from seed. A superb work, with the minor irritation that the translation from Portuguese is not of the best.
]. It could have potential for use in reforestation projects[
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].

Other Uses

The heartwood is variously described as creamy, yellowish, or greyish brown or sometimes brownish, often with dark flecks showing on the surface; it is not clearly differentiated from the lighter coloured sapwood[
378
Title
Present and Potential Commercial Timbers of the Caribbean
Publication
USDA Agricultural Handbook No. 207
Author
Longwood.F.R.
Publisher
USDA Forest Service; Washington, DC.
Year
1962
ISBN
 
Description
Quite detailed information on more than 60 species of Caribbean timber trees, giving species descriptions, habitat, detailed info on the wood and some info on other uses. Available for download on the internet.
]. The texture is medium; the grain fairly straight; the lustre moderately high; without distinctive odour or taste; and without the yellow powder (lapachon) found in other species in the lapachon group of Tabebuia[
378
Title
Present and Potential Commercial Timbers of the Caribbean
Publication
USDA Agricultural Handbook No. 207
Author
Longwood.F.R.
Publisher
USDA Forest Service; Washington, DC.
Year
1962
ISBN
 
Description
Quite detailed information on more than 60 species of Caribbean timber trees, giving species descriptions, habitat, detailed info on the wood and some info on other uses. Available for download on the internet.
]. The wood is of medium weight, moderately hard, firm, strong and resilient but not very durable[
378
Title
Present and Potential Commercial Timbers of the Caribbean
Publication
USDA Agricultural Handbook No. 207
Author
Longwood.F.R.
Publisher
USDA Forest Service; Washington, DC.
Year
1962
ISBN
 
Description
Quite detailed information on more than 60 species of Caribbean timber trees, giving species descriptions, habitat, detailed info on the wood and some info on other uses. Available for download on the internet.
]. Logs are reported to spring badly during conversion; dry lumber saws, planes, shapes, bores, mortises, and sands easily with smooth clean edges in all operations. It finishes and polishes very smoothly with a glossy finish[
378
Title
Present and Potential Commercial Timbers of the Caribbean
Publication
USDA Agricultural Handbook No. 207
Author
Longwood.F.R.
Publisher
USDA Forest Service; Washington, DC.
Year
1962
ISBN
 
Description
Quite detailed information on more than 60 species of Caribbean timber trees, giving species descriptions, habitat, detailed info on the wood and some info on other uses. Available for download on the internet.
]. The wood is well suited for use in tool handles and for boat decking and boat parts, where high resistance to decay is not essential. It is used extensively for furniture, flooring, interior house trim, building construction, and general carpentry. In the areas where it grows it is also used for paddles and packing cases. On the basis of its qualities, this timber could be substituted for ash in sporting goods, agricultural implements, and possibly for decorative veneer[
378
Title
Present and Potential Commercial Timbers of the Caribbean
Publication
USDA Agricultural Handbook No. 207
Author
Longwood.F.R.
Publisher
USDA Forest Service; Washington, DC.
Year
1962
ISBN
 
Description
Quite detailed information on more than 60 species of Caribbean timber trees, giving species descriptions, habitat, detailed info on the wood and some info on other uses. Available for download on the internet.
].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe. Sow the seed in a semi-shaded position, either in individual containers or in a nursery seedbed. Germination rates are usually high, with the seed sprouting within 6 - 12 days[
419
Title
Brazilian Trees. Volume 1. 4th Edition.
Publication
 
Author
Lorenzi. H.
Publisher
Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora; Brazil.
Year
2002
ISBN
85-86714-17-8
Description
Information on 350 species of Brazilian trees. Stunning photographs of each species, brief details on the plant, its uses and how to grow it from seed. A superb work, with the minor irritation that the translation from Portuguese is not of the best.
]. Nursery sown seedlings should be potted up into individual containers when 5 - 6cm tall. Seedlings develop quickly and are ready for planting out 4 - 5 months later[
419
Title
Brazilian Trees. Volume 1. 4th Edition.
Publication
 
Author
Lorenzi. H.
Publisher
Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora; Brazil.
Year
2002
ISBN
85-86714-17-8
Description
Information on 350 species of Brazilian trees. Stunning photographs of each species, brief details on the plant, its uses and how to grow it from seed. A superb work, with the minor irritation that the translation from Portuguese is not of the best.
].
Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2024-12-01. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Tabebuia+insignis>

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