Cavanillesia platanifolia | |
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Scientific classification
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Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Malvales |
Family: | Malvaceae |
Genus: | Cavanillesia |
Species: | C. platanifolia
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Binomial name | |
Cavanillesia platanifolia | |
Synonyms [3] | |
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Cavanillesia platanifolia, known as pijio, bongo, pretino, petrino, cuipo, hameli or hamelí in Spanish [2] [1] or macondo, [4] is a flowering plant species in the family Malvaceae. [2] It grows in lowland rainforests in Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. [2] [1]
The tree grows to 45–60 metres (148–197 feet) in height, with leaves only near the top for one month a year. Its reddish-gray bark has characteristic rings along the entire trunk. The roots are orangish-brown. [5]
A root fragment can be cut off and cleaned (while kept horizontal) then tipped to pour water, which has a taste of potatoes. [5] Rope can be made from the inner bark of branches and saplings. [5]
The wood is extremely soft and may have commercial applications. According to the Janka Hardness Test, along with balsa it is one of the softest.
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