More Esoteric Amazonian Monsterwoods

**Runge** · 6th June 2011, 12:03 PM

Hi Folks,

The number of different tree species in and around the Amazon is staggering. To find the densest of the Amazonian timbers is very difficuly because so few, percentagewise, have been measured. Every once in a while, I stumble on a few more timbers that are probably consistently at or above 1200 kg/m^3. If anyone can point me to samples of these timbers, I'd be grateful.

The most recent trees that I stumbled upon are;

1) Duguetia megalocarpa [Annonaceae] - Envira-cajú, envireira. Duguetia megalocarpa Maas, Bot. Jahrb., Tree, 10–30 m tall, 10–40 cm in diam. Amazonian Brazil (Acre, Amazonas, and Pará). In non-inundated forest, on sandy to clayey soil. Flowering in August, fruiting in February, April and November. The genus Duguetia is composed of approximately 90 species. Duguetia megalocarpa is unique in the genus by its gigantic fruit of up to 15 cm in diam., which is composed of an extremely high number of carpels of over 500, and by its leaves with a shiny upper side, and a lower side densely covered with large, stellate hairs.

2) Vantanea macrocarpa [Humiriaceae] - Uchirana. ~10-30m tall. Amazonian Brazil. Humiriaceae consists of eight genera and 50 species. Vantanea has less than 25 species.

Here are some other actual and possible Amazonian monsterwoods:

Licania laxiflora
Micropholis obscura
Pouteria cladantha
Pouteria eugeniifolia
Pouteria torta ssp. tuberulata
Sloanea nitida
Swartzia bannia
Swartzia corrugata
Swartzia eriocarpa
Swartzia guianensis (leblondii)
Swartzia panacoco
Zollernia ilicifolia
Zollernia paraensis

**artme** · 6th June 2011, 06:03 PM

I'd love to get up there again and just see some of these Trees. Probably won't, but I can dream.

I have found during my many trips to Brasil that there is a general ignorance amongst the timber millers and merchants about their timbers. Apat from species commonly used, such as Angeline Pedra, Purpleheart, Tatajuba, Mussanduraba and Ipe there is little knowledge.

I suppose this is only natural to some extent. I think the fact that woodworking for pleasure is an almost no-existent passtime over there.

In a community,such as this forum the interest in timbers is very high and so we get a great number of people individually know a great deal ollectively of course we have a pretty broad knowledge.

I have found here in Aus. that even people who are not interested in woodwork per se, often have a good knowledg of trees and their identification. This seems to stem from an interest in gardening, particularly native gardening.

Then there are people, such as your good self

, who have a truly esoteric pursut of the subject, and this is great to see>

**Runge** · 7th June 2011, 12:42 AM

If you really want to get a taste of Amazonian diversity, go to the city of Manaus, Brazil. At the north end of the city is the Adolpho Ducke forest Reserve. It is a 10km x 10km patch of land that was set aside for research. Go into Google Maps and search for Manaus, Brazil.

ducke reserve manaus - Google Maps

Zoom out a bit and look for a green square in the satellite picture. There is a book that gives pictures of 2200 plant species found on this little plot of land.

NHBS - Flora da Reserva Ducke: Guia de Identificacao das Plantas Vasculares de Uma Floresta de Terra-Firme na Amazonia Central - Jose Eduardo Lahoz Ribeiro et al
http://rodriguesia.jbrj.gov.br/Rodri...introducao.pdf

Someday, I would like to spend a week or so walking around in that little square, preferably with a botanist guide. The bizarre thing is that there are hotels right nearby!!

**artme** · 11th June 2011, 08:37 AM

I've been to Manaus and travelled along the Amazon from there up into the Rio Negro for a short distance. The only trees that were pointed out were a Brazil Nut tree and an Inga. I asked about other trees that caught my attention nothing was known.

Down in Belem there is a large timber industry. Much of the Scrap"' goes to the potters to fire their kilns. Mind you this "scrap' would be used to build houses in the rest of the world! Most of what I saw was Very dense. There was even some Piroba being harvested at that stage. This is now banned.

Talking of diversity, some24 years ago I drove to Western Australia. We pext to a wheeat scropulled up on the side of the road next to a wheat crop. In an area not even the size of the car's footprint I counted 20different plants in flower!

TThe world sure is an amazing place!!

**Runge** · 11th June 2011, 01:18 PM

A better list, though no doubt incomplete, might include:

<table border="1" cellspacing="0" cols="1" frame="void" rules="groups"> <colgroup><col width="231"></colgroup> <tbody> <tr> <td align="left" height="22" width="231">Bocoa prouacensis</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" height="22">Brosimum guianense</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" height="22">Chamaecrista scleroxylon</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" height="22">Duguetia megalocarpa</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" height="22">Licania laxiflora</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" height="22">Micropholis obscura</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" height="22">Pouteria cladantha</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" height="22">Pouteria eugeniifolia</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" height="22">Pouteria torta ssp. tuberulata</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" height="22">Sloanea nitida</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" height="22">Swartzia bannia</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" height="22">Swartzia corrugata</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" height="22">Swartzia eriocarpa</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" height="22">Swartzia guianensis (leblondii)</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" height="22">Swartzia panacoco</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" height="22">Vantanea macrocarpa</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" height="22">Zollernia ilicifolia</td> </tr> <tr> <td align="left" height="22">Zollernia paraensis
</td> </tr> </tbody> </table>

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