Common Name:

General Information

Vouacapoua macropetala is a tree that can grow up to 25 metres tall. The poorly-formed bole has buttresses up to 180cm tall; it can be unbranched for up to 18 metres and is usually 40 - 50cm in diameter, exceptionally to 60cm[]. The bole often has adventitious shoots[].
The tree is harvested from the wild for its timber.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Northern S. America - Guyana.

Habitat

Rainforests, growing in sandy, clay soils, mainly on rocky hillsides[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	18.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Although many species within the family Fabaceae have a symbiotic relationship with soil bacteria, this species is said to be devoid of such a relationship and therefore does not fix atmospheric nitrogen[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The wood is dark yellowish brown. The texture is moderately coarse; the grain fairly straight. The wood is heavy, very hard, tough, strong and is reported moderately resistant to decay[]. A related species, wacapou (Vouacapoua americana), which has similar wood, is resistant to termite attack and also to marine borers[]. The wood is not difficult to work; finishes smoothly; and takes a high polish[]. It is used for flooring, house framing, posts, sleepers, wheelwright work, and cabinetmaking. The timber lacks sufficient durability to make first-class posts or sleepers. However, if the wood possesses the same resistance to teredo as Vouacapoua americana, it would be very useful for marine work in teredo-infested waters[].

Propagation

Seed -

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