Calycophyllum spruceanum
Calycophyllum spruceanum[2] (common name: capirona), is a canopy tree indigenous from the Amazon rainforest.
- For the South American tree with the scientific name Capirona, see Capirona
| Capirona, Mulateiro | |
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| Calycophyllum spruceanum in the Amazon Rainforest of Ecuador | |
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| Species: | C. spruceanum |
| Binomial name | |
| Calycophyllum spruceanum (Benth.) K.Schum. | |
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Description
A tree can grow up to a height of 30 meters.
During the summer months, it produces an abundance of white, aromatic flowers, which are followed by elongated seed pods with 3-5 seeds inside.[3]
Its bark is shed periodically to avoid lichens, fungi, epiphytes and lianas.
Once or twice a year, it sheds off its bark entirely. The smooth green bark underneath is somewhat like a sunburnt human. The older the tree, the more of its bark will be unpeeled, creeping up its trunk. It grows white or green flowers between March and April. It fruits between July and November, seeds are dispersed by the wind and water.[4] Its wood is used for parquet.[5]
Uses
The dried bark is used to treat fungus on the skin. Used also as an antidiabetic and for eye infections. This tree avoids lichens, fungi, epiphytes and lianas, by getting rid of its bark.
The plants grows extremely fast, within eight years. The wood is often cut for lumber.
Region of growth
Calycophyllum spruceanum grows in the South American countries of Bolivia, Colombia, Brazil, Ecuador, and Peru.[6]
References
- The Plant List
- Schumann, Karl Moritz in Martius, Carl (Karl) Friedrich Philipp von. 1889. Flora Brasiliensis 6(6): 191
- "Database file for Mulateiro - Calycophyllum spruceanum". www.rain-tree.com. Retrieved 2016-02-03.
- Ugarte, Leoncio. "Índice de Sitio (IS) de Calycophyllum spruceanum Benth. en relación con la altura dominante del rodal en ensayos de plantación en la Cuenca del Aguaytía, Ucayali, Perú" (PDF). Ecologia Aplicada Volumen 9, N os 1 y 2 / Enero - Diciembre 2010. UNALM. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
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- "Capirona, naked tree". Rainforest Expeditions. Archived from the original on 2013-12-03. Retrieved July 2013. Check date values in:
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- "Capirona, naked tree". Rainforest Expeditions. Archived from the original on 2013-12-03. Retrieved July 2013. Check date values in:
- "Calycophyllum spruceanum" at the Encyclopedia of Life
Further reading
- Polesna, L.; Polesny, Z.; Clavo, M. Z.; Hansson, A.; Kokoska, L. (2011). "Ethnopharmacological inventory of plants used in Coronel Portillo Province of Ucayali Department, Peru". Pharmaceutical Biology. 49 (2): 125–136. doi:10.3109/13880209.2010.504927. PMID 20942601.