Brosimum rubescens
Specifications
Family
Moraceae
Species
Brosimum rubescens Taub.
bloodwood
bloodwood cacique
Description
Yellowish in color, it darkens when exposed to air. It has a coarse texture, a straight grain, and a density of 0.60 to 0.65.
Plant morphology
Reaching 20-30 m in height, it has a small crown and a slender trunk, 50-70 cm in diameter, almost completely smooth, with gray bark. The buds, from which simple, elliptical, sub-leathery leaves emerge, are hairy. The inflorescences are axillary, globose, and hemispherical, and the fruits are globose and red.
Natural occurrence
Countries of origin and distribution
Amazon River Basin: Brazil, Guyana, French Guiana, Suriname.
Habitat and ecology
It grows in lowland forests and along the transition zones between rainforest and savannah. In the Colombian Amazon, it grows well on rocky, sedimentary substrates, and alluvial plains.
Uses
Use class
CU1
CU2
CU3
CU4
CU5
Application areas
Easy to work with, it is used for general carpentry, furniture, drumsticks, office supplies, and turnery.
Threats and Conservation
Threats
Excessive extraction and change of land use.
Conservation measures
Currently, some portions of this species' habitat fall within protected areas (e.g., Sierra de Chiribiquete National Park in Colombia). The species is not represented in any ex situ collections (BGCI 2022). Population status monitoring is necessary, and sustainable forestry management should be implemented.
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
Slightly obvious
Texture
Fine
Physical and mechanical properties
Density
ρ
ρ
1050
kg/m3
Radial shrinkage
Rad. sh.
Rad. sh.
41
MPa
Tangential shrinkage
Tang. sh.
Tang. sh.
59
MPa
Bending strength
M.O.R.
M.O.R.
162
MPa
Modulus of Elasticity
M.O.E.
M.O.E.
28130
MPa
Durability characteristics
Fungal resistance
Durable
Insect resistance
Resistant