Roupale, Leopardwood
Roupala montana

Family: Proteaceae

What it is like

Roupala montana can be a shrub or a tree growing about 1-8 m tall in South America. It is deciduous characterized by a dense and round crown, low branches, and cylindrical bole that is 40-70 cm in diameter. It has no edible use but valued medicinally and as aphrodisiac. It is also used for fuel wood, high quality charcoal, woodworking, and construction.

Roupala montana is a deciduous Tree growing to 15 m (49ft) by 15 m (49ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist or wet soil.

Height (m): 15

Where it is found

Savannahs in coastal areas, rock savannahs in the mountains and secondary forests on sandy soils. Moist and wet forests at elevations up to 144 metres.

S. America - Paraguay, Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, the Guyanas; C. America - Panama to Mexico; Caribbean - Trinidad.

Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed

Countries/locations it is found in

Mexico; Guatemala; Nicaragua; Belize; El Salvador; Costa Rica; Honduras; Panama; Colombia; Brazil; Argentina; Paraguay; Bolivia, Plurinational State of; Trinidad and Tobago; Ecuador; French Guiana; Guyana; Suriname; Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of; Peru

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 2

An infusion of the bark is used as a nerve stimulant.

Other

Rating: 4

Other Uses The wood is rough-textured, cross-grained, heavy, hard, with moderate mechanical properties, very durable in dry sites or when immersed in salt water. The wood is quite ornamental, especially the radial section, and has been compared with the European oak. It is used particularly for making furniture, fine cases and ornamental objects; and can also be used in naval construction, for sculptures, linings, window and door frames etc. (This report is for Roupala montana brasiliensis).

Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.

How it is grown

A plant of mainly lowland areas in the tropics. It grows best in areas where the mean annual temperature is 18 - 25°c and the mean annual rainfall is 1,500 - 3,000mm with a distinct dry season. Grows best in a sunny position. Succeeds in a wide range of soil types in the wild, though it grows best in soils with good drainage. Young plants have a moderate rate of growth.

Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a partially shaded position in a nursery seedbed or in individual containers. A germination rate in excess of 90% can be expected, with the seed sprouting within 10 - 15 days. The seedlings develop quickly and they should be ready to plant out 5 - 7 months later.

Best place to grow:

Habit: Tree

Hardiness: 10-12

Growth: Medium

Soil: Light (sandy), medium

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Moist, wet

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Rhopala boissieriana Meisn. Rhopala complicata Kunth Rhopala dentata R.Br. Rhopala gardneri Meisn. R