Tulpay, Murur
Clarisia racemosa

Family: Moraceae

What it is like

Clarisia racemosa is a semideciduous, tropical, dioecious tree of about 40 m tall that usually grows in upland rainforests. It has oval or pear shaped fruits that are yellow, orange, or red in colour. The bark peels off revealing orange. The fleshy fruit stalk is edible. The crown is large, round and dense. The tree is harvested from the wild for its high quality timber that used for various purposes. The wood is moderately heavy, moderately hard, but very durable and very resistant to dry wood borers and termites.

Clarisia racemosa is a deciduous 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 plant is not self-fertile. Suitable for: medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 25

Where it is found

A canopy tree in the rainforest, favouring clayey soils in areas not subject to inundation.

S. America - Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, the Guyanas; C. America - Costa Rica, Nicaragua

Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed

Countries/locations it is found in

Found In: Guianas, South America, Suriname, Venezuela.

How it is used

Food

Rating: 1

The fruit stalk is fleshy and edible.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 4

The tree yields a valuable timber and so is commonly harvested from the wild. The heartwood is bright yellow, becoming brown or russet, but retaining a golden lustre upon exposure; it is sharply demarcated from the 2 - 5cm wide band of white sapwood. The texture is medium to coarse; the grain variable, often decidedly roey with an attractive figure; dry specimens are without distinctive odour or taste. The wood is moderately heavy, moderately hard; very durable, but not if in contact with the soil, being very resistant to attacks by dry wood borers and termites. It seasons normally, with only a slight risk of checking or distortion; once dry it is moderately stable to stable in service. It is easy to work, though has a high blunting effect so stellite-tipped and tungsten carbide tools are recommended; it is rated fair to good in all machining operations; cross-grained material requires sharp tools to produce a smooth surface; fresh wood saws woolly; it does not take nails and screws well; glues and stains satisfactorily. A valued timber, it can be used for a wide range of purposes including making high-class furniture, cabinet work, panelling, joinery, tool handles, flooring, general construction and laminates.

Furniture: A few miscellaneous uses that do not fit easily into other headings.

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

How it is grown

Young plants grow best in the dappled shade of the woodland, becoming more light tolerant as they grow larger. Prefers a clayey soil. Young trees have a moderate rate of growth. A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required.

Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a partially shaded position in individual containers - placing 2 - 3 seeds in each container. A low germination rate can be expected, with the seed sprouting within 40 - 60 days.

Best place to grow:

Habit: Tree

Hardiness: 10-12

Growth: Medium

Soil: Medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Clarisia racemosa.Other Names: Bolivia: tulpay, mururŽ. Colombia: caraco, chili, arracacho. Ecuador: I matapalo. Peru: chichillica, guariuba. Brazil: oity.

Synonyms

Clarisia nitida (Allem?o) J.F.Macbr. Olmedia erythrorhiza Huber ex Ducke Soaresia nitida Allem?o Sor