Mahot rouge, Guacharaco
Lecythis corrugata

Family: Lecythidaceae

What it is like

Lecythis corrugata is an evergreen Tree growing to 25 m (82ft) by 20 m (65ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The flowers are pollinated by Bees, insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 25

Where it is found

A common plant of rain forests and marsh forests, especially along the sides of water courses.

S. America - northern Brazil, Venezuela, the Guyanas.

Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed

Countries/locations it is found in

Amazon, Brazil, French Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, South America, Suriname, Venezuela

How it is used

Food

Rating: 3

Staple Crop Protein-Oil

Oil: Oil

Medicine

Rating: 0

An infusion of the bark is used to treat diarrhoea. A decoction of the bark is poured onto cuts in order to accelerate the healing process.

Other

Rating: 4

The inner bark is long and stiingy like that of the Lime-tree (Tilia spp.). The inner bark of the lime is a source of fibre - is this bark used similarly?. The heartwood is a reddish or greyish-brown; it is not clearly demarcated from the 4cm wide band of light brown sapwood. The grain is fine and dense, the wood cold and smooth to the touch with a peculiar smell when worked, but no discernible taste when seasoned. It is heavy; hard, becoming harder with age; exceedingly strong and hard to break transversely; durable to very durable. There are differing reports on its ability to resist the attacks of toredo and barnacles. It is widely recognized for its high resistance to marine borers. The wood is very hard to saw and plane; it is fissile, taking nails badly; it turns and polishes indifferently, except in the best qualities; it cleaves straight. The wood is not very ornamental, but can be used for house-framing, wharves and sluices.

Oil: Vegetable oils have many uses, as lubricants, lighting, soap and paint making, waterproofing etc. This does not include the edible oils unless they are also mentioned as having other uses.

Management: Standard: Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.

Regional Crop: These crops have been domesticated and cultivated regionally but have not been adopted elsewhere and are typically not traded globally, Examples in this broad category include perennial cottons and many nuts and staple fruits.

Staple Crop: Protein-oil: (16+ percent protein, 16+ percent oil). Annuals include soybeans, peanuts, sunflower seeds. Perennials include seeds, beans, nuts, and fruits such as almond, Brazil nut, pistachio, walnut, hazel, and safou.

Management: Standard: Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.

Regional Crop: These crops have been domesticated and cultivated regionally but have not been adopted elsewhere and are typically not traded globally, Examples in this broad category include perennial cottons and many nuts and staple fruits.

Staple Crop: Protein-oil: (16+ percent protein, 16+ percent oil). Annuals include soybeans, peanuts, sunflower seeds. Perennials include seeds, beans, nuts, and fruits such as almond, Brazil nut, pistachio, walnut, hazel, and safou.

Carbon Farming: Plants that can be a critical part of the solution to climate problems. The Carbon Farming Solution - Eric Toensmeier.

How it is grown

Tropical and humid

Propagating it: Seed

Best place to grow:

Habit: Tree

Hardiness: 10-12

Growth: Medium

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Mahot rouge, Guacharaco

Synonyms

Bertholletia minor Choisy ex R.Knuth Chytroma basilaris Miers Chytroma corrugata (Poit.) R.Knuth Chytroma rosea (Spruce ex O.Berg) Miers Chytroma rubiflora Miers Chytroma salebrosa (O.Berg) Miers Eschweilera conduplicata A.C.Sm. Eschweilera corrugata (Poit.) Miers Eschweilera jenmanii R.Knuth Eschweilera patrisii R.Knuth Eschweilera salebrosa (O.Berg) Nied. Lecythis cognata Miers Lecythis martini O.Berg Lecythis rosea Spruce ex O.Berg Lecythis rubicunda Miers Lecythis salebrosa O.Berg Lecythis venusta Miers