Fabaceae FAMILY

Peltogyne paniculata

Edibility

0/5

Medicinal

1/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Botanical Description

Purpleheart is a semideciduous tree with a heavy, umbrella-shaped crown; it can grow up to 40 metres tall[ 422 Title Fruits of the Guianan Flora Publication Author van Roosmalen. M.G.M. Publisher Institute of Systematic Boyany, Utrecht University; Netherlands. Year 1985 ISBN 90-9000988-4 Description Terse descriptions of over 1,700 species from the Guianas that bear fruits - not necessarily edible! Often mentions if the fruit is edible, plus gives brief description of habit and habitat. ]. The straight, cylindrical bole has thin, wide buttresses up to 90cm tall; it can be 90cm in diameter, with a considerable taper, and can be clear for 18 - 21 metres[ 341 Title South American Timbers: the Properties, Uses and Characteristics of 190 Species. Publication Author Bolza. E. & Christensen. F.J. Publisher Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization Year 1979 ISBN 0 643 02582 0 Description A very useful guide. , 378 Title Present and Potential Commercial Timbers of the Caribbean Publication USDA Agricultural Handbook No. 207 Author Longwood.F.R. Publisher USDA Forest Service; Washington, DC. Year 1962 ISBN Description Quite detailed information on more than 60 species of Caribbean timber trees, giving species descriptions, habitat, detailed info on the wood and some info on other uses. Available for download on the internet. ]. The tree is a major source of 'purpleheart' wood. With its purple colour, this is one of the most, distinctive and expensive woods of tropical America. It is commonly harvested from the wild for local use and export.

Habitat & Origin

Origintropical

Native RangeS. America - northern Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, the Guyanas.

HabitatRain and savannah forests, also in mountain savannah forest on granite[ 422 Title Fruits of the Guianan Flora Publication Author van Roosmalen. M.G.M. Publisher Institute of Systematic Boyany, Utrecht University; Netherlands. Year 1985 ISBN 90-9000988-4 Description Terse descriptions of over 1,700 species from the Guianas that bear fruits - not necessarily edible! Often mentions if the fruit is edible, plus gives brief description of habit and habitat. ]. Dry evergreen and swamp forests, rain and savannah formations[ 341 Title South American Timbers: the Properties, Uses and Characteristics of 190 Species. Publication Author Bolza. E. & Christensen. F.J. Publisher Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization Year 1979 ISBN 0 643 02582 0 Description A very useful guide. ].