Oiticica
Licania rigida

Family: Chrysobalanaceae

What it is like

Licania rigida is an evergreen Tree growing to 12 m (39ft) by 12 m (39ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist or wet soil and can tolerate drought.

Height (m): 12

Where it is found

Dry, open forests, often in secondary formations, on low, alluvial floodplains, often near rivers.

S. America - northeastern Brazil.

Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed

Countries/locations it is found in

Brazil, Puerto Rico, South America

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 3

A drying oil, known as 'Oiticica oil' is obtained from the seed. It is used in varnishes, protective coatings etc. It is used as a substitute for Tung oil for the production of paints, linoleum, ink etc. The seeds contain about 61% oil. The wood is coarse-textured, irregular-grained, heavy, with a low resistance to wood-eating organisms. Of poor quality, it is used for carpentry, making wagon wheels, posts, planks etc.

Industrial Crop: Oil: Materials, chemicals and energy include bioplastics, biomass, glycerin, soaps, lubricants, paints, biodiesel. Oilseed crop types.

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.

Industrial Crop: Oil: Materials, chemicals and energy include bioplastics, biomass, glycerin, soaps, lubricants, paints, biodiesel. Oilseed crop types.

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.

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

Grows best in a sunny position. Established plants are drought tolerant. Newly planted young trees usually establish and grow away moderately well. Grows naturally in sub-humid tropical climates, generally in areas with annual lows of 20 to 25 °C, annual highs of 30 to 35 °C, annual rainfall of 600 to 1400 mm and a dry season of 4 to 8 months. Performs best on free-draining loam and sand soils of a moderately acid to slightly alkaline nature, generally with a pH of 5.0 to 7.5 on on sites with full to partial sun exposure. It has good tolerance to drought and seasonal flooding.

Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe, it can be sown complete with the surrounding fruit if necessary. Sow in a nursery seedbed in a sunny position. Germination rates are usually above 50% with the seed sprouting within 45 - 55 days. Cuttings.

Best place to grow:

Habit: Tree

Hardiness: 10-12

Growth: Medium

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

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist, wet

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Oiticica

Synonyms

Pleragina umbrosissima Arruda