Cynometra hemitomophylla
Family:
Native to:
Habitat:
Fabaceae
Parts of Central America
Moist lowland tropics, well drained hillsides. Up to 500 meters above sea level. Tree, up to 30 meters tall.
Ecological value:
Pollinated by honeybees and butterflies. Belongs to a genus of 113 species. Other species of Cynometra are known for attracting wildlife.
Material uses:
Very dense and hard wood, resistant to elements. Has been used to make ship keels due to its resistance to elements and it’s durability.
Edible uses:
No record on this species.
Medicinal use:
Some species of Cynometra have medicinal properties, primarily concentrated in the leaves.
Other details:
Would make good ornamental shade tree. Species in the fabaceae family often form a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria and form visible nodules on their roots. Nitrogen can be shared with nearby plants. hreatened species in some parts of Central America.
Research:
Peaches Harrison/Christine Facella
Sources:
“Cynometra Hemitomophylla (Donn.Sm.) Rose | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science.” n.d. Plants of the World Online. Accessed November 27, 2023. https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:74349-2/general-information.
“Cynometra Hemitomophylla - Useful Tropical Plants.” n.d. Tropical.theferns.info. Accessed November 7, 2023. https://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Cynometra+hemitomophylla.
Image source: W.A. Djatmiko (picture of Cynometra cauliflora)