Calycophyllum spruceanum,[2] common names capirona and Pau-Mulato, is a canopy tree belonging to the Gardenia Family (Rubiaceae) indigenous to the Amazon rainforest. Its most interesting characteristic is its very shiny, highly polished green bark.[3] The oblong leaves are up to seven inches (18 centimeters) in length. The white flowers are in small terminal clusters.
| Capirona | |
|---|---|
| |
| Calycophyllum spruceanum in the Amazon Rainforest of Ecuador | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Gentianales |
| Family: | Rubiaceae |
| Genus: | Calycophyllum |
| Species: | C. spruceanum
|
| Binomial name | |
| Calycophyllum spruceanum (Benth.) K.Schum.
| |
| Synonyms[1] | |
| |
Description
editA tree can grow up to a height of 30 meters (100 feet).
During the summer months, it produces an abundance of white, aromatic flowers, which are followed by elongated seed pods with 3-5 seeds inside.[4]
Its bark is shed periodically to avoid lichens, fungi, epiphytes and lianas.
Once or twice a year, it sheds off its bark entirely. The smooth green bark underneath is somewhat like a sunburnt human. The older the tree, the more of its bark will be unpeeled, creeping up its trunk. It grows white or green flowers between March and April. It fruits between July and November, seeds are dispersed by the wind and water.[5] Its wood is used for parquet.[6]
Uses
editThe dried bark is used to treat fungus on the skin. Used also as an antidiabetic and for eye infections. This tree avoids lichens, fungi, epiphytes and lianas, by getting rid of its bark.
The plants grows extremely fast, within eight years. The wood is often cut for lumber.
Region of growth
editCalycophyllum spruceanum grows in the South American countries of Bolivia, Colombia, Brazil, Ecuador, and Peru.[7]
References
edit- ^ "The Plant List". Archived from the original on 2021-04-22. Retrieved 2014-04-30.
- ^ Schumann, Karl Moritz in Martius, Carl (Karl) Friedrich Philipp von. 1889. Flora Brasiliensis 6(6): 191
- ^ Graf, Alfred Byrd D.Sc. (1981). Tropica. East Rutherford, N.J.: Roehrs Company. pp. 963 & 863.
- ^ "Database file for Mulateiro - Calycophyllum spruceanum". www.rain-tree.com. Retrieved 2016-02-03.
- ^ Ugarte, Leoncio. "Índice de Sitio (IS) de Calycophyllum spruceanum Benth. en relación con la altura dominante del rodal en ensayos de plantación en la Cuenca del Aguaytía, Ucayali, Perú" (PDF). Ecologia Aplicada Volumen 9, N os 1 y 2 / Enero - Diciembre 2010. UNALM. Retrieved 7 May 2014.
- ^ * "Capirona, naked tree". Rainforest Expeditions. Archived from the original on 2013-12-03.
- ^ "Calycophyllum spruceanum". The Encyclopedia of Life.
Further reading
edit- Polesna, L.; Polesny, Z.; Clavo, M. Z.; Hansson, A.; Kokoska, L. (2011). "Ethnopharmacological inventory of plants used in Coronel Portillo Province of Ucayali Department, Peru". Pharmaceutical Biology. 49 (2): 125–136. doi:10.3109/13880209.2010.504927. PMID 20942601.