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Carapa guianensis Aubl.
| Family Name: | Meliaceae |
| Common Name: | Andiroba, Demerara Mahogany, Crabwood |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Tree |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 55 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Tropical America |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
| Local Conservation Status | Non-native (Horticultural / Cultivated Only) |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Large tree, able to grow up to about 55 m tall. |
|---|---|
| Crown | Crown is dense. |
| Trunk | Cylindrical trunk, branching usually occur after 20 m, girth size about 1 m wide. |
| Foliage | Green leaves, alternate arrangement and paripinnate, measuring about 30 - 40 cm long, each leaf consists of about 16 leaflets in opposite arrangement. |
| Flowers | Small, white flowers borne on many-branched panicle inflorescence, about 20 - 80 flowers in each inflorescence. |
| Fruit | Fruit is a dehiscent subglobose woody capsule, 4 lobed, contains 2 - 4 seeds in each lobe. |
| Habitat | Usually found in semi-evergreen rainforest, along rivers, swampy areas and low hills. |
| Etymology | Genus Carapa is from the vernacular South America name "Caraipe". Species guianensis means from Guiana, South America. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Medicinal: Leaves are boiled and applied as a poultice on itchy skin. A decoction of the fruit rind is taken for fever and intestinal worms. Timber & Products: Wood is used in the production of pulp and paper. The bark can be used for tanning purposes. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Parks & Gardens |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Butterfly-Attracting |
|---|---|
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) |
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Biotic (Fauna), Abiotic |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Moist Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
| Propagation Method | Seed |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Deciduous |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 4.0 (Tree - Dense Canopy) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | White |
|---|---|
| Flower Grouping | Cluster / Inflorescence |
| Inflorescence Type | Panicle |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Fruit Type | Dehiscent Dry Fruit |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1491 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 2784 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |