Common Name:

General Information

Virola officinalis is a tree with a flat crown; it can grow up to 36 metres tall. The straight, cylindrical bole can be free of branches for up to 25 metres and 70cm in diameter[].
The tree is harvested from the wild for its timber.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - Brazil, Peru,

Habitat

Fairly dense primary rainforest that is not subject to inundation, at elevations around 150 metres[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	35.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if seed is required[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The seeds are rich in oil[]. It is used for making candles and soap[].

Cut or damaged trees exude a blood-red, watery latex that is similar to the kino of commerce[].

The heartwood is dark brown, clearly demarcated from the pale yellowish brown sapwood that darkens on exposure. The wood is slightly fragrant, but tasteless; it is straight-grained; medium-textured or moderately so; light in weight, but firm and strong; not difficult to work; holds its place well when finished; durable[]. It is used to a limited extent for the construction of houses[].
We do not have any more information on the wood of this species. However, a general description of the wood from this genus is as follows:-
Upon drying and exposure, the heartwood becomes a pinkish golden-brown or a deep reddish-brown; it is sharply demarcated from the cream to tan coloured sapwood. The texture is rather coarse; the grain straight; lustre is low to medium; there is no distinctive odour or taste. The wood is not resistant to attack by decay fungi and is very susceptible to attack by termites and other insects; logs require prompt conversion or water storage to prevent damage by pinhole borers; bacterial attack resulting in the formation of odoriferous compounds is also reported. It is generally reported to be difficult to season, with a strong tendency to warp and check as well as collapse and honeycomb; thick stock is slow to dry. It works easily with both hand and machine tools and produces a good finish; it glues well; cuts well into veneers. The wood is used for purposes such as veneer and plywood, particle and fiberboard, furniture components, boxes and crates, light construction, general carpentry, millwork[].

Propagation

Seed -

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