Calycophyllum candidissimum
Family:
Native to:
Habitat:
Rubiaceae
Central America, Colombia and Venezuela, parts of the Caribbean.
Dry forests, shaded hillsides, along waterways. 0-1000 meters above sea level. 15 meters tall.
Ecological value:
Pollen is a rich nectar source for bees. Very drought tolerant once established. Prefers well-drained and rich soil. Full sun. Can be grown as an ornamental with its flaky red bark and log periods of flowering. Found in dry ecoregions.
Material uses:
Wood, oatmeal in color, strong, hard and heavy. Moderately durable. Used for tools and tool handles, agricultural implements, frames and in turnery. Also made into charcoal.
Edible uses:
No record on this species.
Medicinal use:
No record on this species.
Other details:
National tree of Nicaragua. In the Rubiaceae family. Most members of this family are pollinated by insects. Sometimes starts branching near the ground.
Research:
Senna Lau/Christine Facella
Sources:
Sources: “Calycophyllum Candidissimum (Vahl) DC. | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science.” n.d. Plants of the World Online. Accessed November 28, 2023. https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:745241-1/general-information.
“No Record - Useful Tropical Plants.” n.d. Tropical.theferns.info. Accessed November 28, 2023. https://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Calycophyllum%20candidissimum.
Uphof. J. C. Th., ‘Dictionary of Economic Plants’, Weinheim, 1959
Image source: JorgeAlejandro