Caryocar spp.
Specifications
Family
Moraceae
Species
Caryocar spp. (L.) D. Don ex Steud.
butternut
Description
It has a light yellowish, whitish, or grayish color, almost undifferentiated, sometimes with some variegation and pink hues. The texture is variable and the grain is generally interwoven. When fresh, it may give off a slight acidic odor. The density at normal moisture content ranges from 0.80 to 0.90. Drying causes medium to high shrinkage, with noticeable deformation. Sawing is fairly easy, but the same cannot be said for planing and turning, which do not produce very satisfactory results. The mechanical strength is good but not high, and its durability is poor or modest, especially against insect attack.
Plant morphology
Plants in this genus can have a shrubby or arboreal growth habit, depending on the species. C. brasiliense, for example, can reach 10 m in height, while C. nuciferum reaches 45 m. In general, the leaves of the Caryocar genus are composed of three leaflets. The flowers are borne in more or less contracted racemes and range in color from yellow to red.
Natural occurrence
Countries of origin and distribution
From Venezuela to the Amazon Basin and the Guianas.
Habitat and ecology
Species of the genus Caryocar generally grow in tropical and subtropical forests, with ecological differences depending on the species. Caryocar brasiliense, for example, grows in the Brazilian cerrado, while C. nuciferum grows in the Amazon rainforest in shade-loving conditions. Zoochorous pollination is performed by bats.
Uses
Use class
CU1
CU2
CU3
CU4
CU5
Application areas
It is used for shipbuilding, boats, wheelwrighting, staves.
Threats and Conservation
Threats
Habitat loss and fragmentation.
Conservation measures
C. nuciferum is present in two ex situ collections (BGCI 2017).
IUCN Red List
IUCN
Caryocar brasiliense LC - Least Concern (2018); C. microcarpum LC - Least Concern (2018); C. nuciferum DD - Data Deficient (2017).
CITES. Year of assessment
CITES
2017
1975
2050
CITES Italia • Ultimo aggiornamento
2017
Not present.
Technical data
Aesthetic characteristics
Grain
Obvious
Texture
Medium
Physical and mechanical properties
Density
ρ
ρ
880
kg/m3
Radial shrinkage
Rad. sh.
Rad. sh.
33
MPa
Tangential shrinkage
Tang. sh.
Tang. sh.
61
MPa
Bending strength
M.O.R.
M.O.R.
151
MPa
Modulus of Elasticity
M.O.E.
M.O.E.
21900
MPa
Durability characteristics
Fungal resistance
Very durable
Insect resistance
Resistant
Miscellaneous
The species of commercial interest are: Caryocar brasiliense Cambess., C. microcarpum Ducke, C. nuciferum L.. Some species of Caryocar (in particular C. nuciferum L.) produce large fruits with oily seeds (called butternuts) from which an edible oil is obtained by pressing.