Dipteryx oleifera - Almendro
Family:
Native to:
Habitat:
Fabaceae
Southern Central America, Ecuador and Colombia.
Humid, lowland species. Up to 400 meters above sea level (1300 some claims). 50 meter tall tree.
Ecological value:
Visited and pollinated by 20 different species of bees, drupes consumed by
wildlife such as Great Green Macaw and rodent species. Slow growth rate, up to 60 m tall. A promising reforestation species. Fruits in times of scarcity.
Material uses:
An extremely hard wood used in heavy construction projects, boats, veneers, machinery, sporting goods etc. One of heaviest woods globally. Resistant to rot. Seedpods used to make torches: each nut burns for 5 minutes.
Edible uses:
Edible seed, boiled. Shade tree in agroforestry schemes (cacao).
Medicinal use:
No record on this species.
Other details:
Tree reaches a tall height that allows the great green macaw bird to nest safely. Blooms between May and September. Attractive pink-purple blossoms which last for several weeks makes this tree a good ornamental. Classified endangered. Keystone species.
Research:
Ellen Rust/Christine Facella
Sources:
“Dipteryx Oleifera Benth. | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science.” n.d. Plants of the World Online. Accessed November 7, 2023. https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:492770-1.
“Dipteryx Oleifera - Useful Tropical Plants.” n.d. Tropical.theferns.info. Accessed November 7, 2023. https://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Dipteryx+oleifera&redir=Dipteryx+panamensis.
Image source: Aparayil and Apipa. Pictured is D. panamensis and oleifera.