Zollernia spp.
Specifications
Family
Fabaceae
Species
Zollernia spp.
santo wood
Description
The sapwood is yellowish and the heartwood is greenish-brown variegated with more or less dark stripes, medium texture, irregular grain, and a greasy appearance. When fresh, it is slightly fragrant. The density at normal moisture content varies from 0.95 to 1.30. Zollernia ilicifolia from Southern Brazil is distinguished by its reddish-brown color and the fibrous appearance of its surfaces. Its high hardness makes both drying and all processing difficult, but contrary to what one might expect, it is fragile, particularly under the action of dynamic impacts.
Plant morphology
The two species of the Zollernia genus listed here, Z. paraensis and Z. ilicifolia, are arboreal in habit, with bark that can be smooth or fissured, generally green. The leaves are simple, alternate, and elliptical-ovate. The flowers are zygomorphic, pink-white, and are borne in racemes in clusters of 16-40. The fruit is a globose drupe.
Natural occurrence
Countries of origin and distribution
Zollernia ilicifolia: Brazil from Bahia to Paraná, more common in coastal areas and extending westward. Z. paraensis: Northern Brazil, French Guiana, Guyana, Suriname, and Venezuela.
Habitat and ecology
Zollernia ilicifolia ranges from Atlantic tropical rainforest to seasonal deciduous forest, cerrado, and caatinga, while Z. paraensis ranges from the humid Amazon rainforest, often in the understory or near riverbanks.
Uses
Application areas
It is prized for turning, handles, luxury objects, brush backs, knife handles and the like.
Threats and Conservation
Threats
Not reported.
Conservation measures
Z. paraensis is present in some protected areas in Brazil, while there is evidence of ex situ protection measures.
IUCN Red List
IUCN
Zollernia paraensis LC - Least Concern (2010); Z. ilicifolia - LC - Least Concern (2018).
CITES. Year of assessment
CITES
CITES Italia • Ultimo aggiornamento
Not present.
Miscellaneous
From a commercial point of view, the important species are Zollernia paraensis Huber and Z. ilicifolia (Brongn.) Vogel.