Hymenaea courbaril
Specifications
Family
Fabaceae
Species
Hymenaea courbaril L.
west indian locust
stinking toe
brazilian copal
brazilien cherry
Description
The sapwood is ivory or brownish gray in color, clearly differentiated from the reddish heartwood. The texture is coarse, the grain interwoven, and the density varies from 0.75 to 1.10. Working is difficult due to the wood's hardness. Durability is good in dry environments, but modest in humid environments.
Plant morphology
A tree 15-20 m tall, its trunk can reach one meter in diameter. The bark is smooth and brown, the crown is dense and elongated, and the leaves are compound, petiolate, with two leathery, lanceolate leaflets. The inflorescences are terminal, composed of a few large white flowers. The fruit is a cylindrical, indehiscent legume.
Natural occurrence
Countries of origin and distribution
Central and South America, from Mexico to Bolivia.
Habitat and ecology
This species is present between sea level and 700 m above sea level, on well-drained substrates in deciduous or semi-deciduous tropical forests; it grows in association with species belonging to the genera Hura, Brosimum and Bursera or Vitex, Cnidoscolus and Gyrocarpus.
Uses
Use class
CU1
CU2
CU3
CU4
CU5
Application areas
It is used in construction, floorboards, furniture, and turning.
Threats and Conservation
Threats
Not reported.
Conservation measures
The species is present in some protected areas (in situ protection) and its seeds are conserved in the Millennium Seed Bank (ex situ protection).
IUCN Red List
IUCN
LC - Least Concern - Low Risk
CITES. Year of assessment
CITES
2022
1975
2050
CITES Italia • Ultimo aggiornamento
2022
Not present.
Technical data
Aesthetic characteristics
Grain
Obvious
Texture
Medium
Physical and mechanical properties
Density
ρ
ρ
940
kg/m3
Radial shrinkage
Rad. sh.
Rad. sh.
39
MPa
Tangential shrinkage
Tang. sh.
Tang. sh.
75
MPa
Bending strength
M.O.R.
M.O.R.
160
MPa
Modulus of Elasticity
M.O.E.
M.O.E.
23460
MPa
Durability characteristics
Fungal resistance
Moderatamente durabile
Insect resistance
Resistant