Woody > Cariniana > Cariniana legalis > Cariniana legalis
Cariniana legalis
Origin: The species has a Brazilian origin, in the South American continent, being found in the northeast, southeast and south regions, and in the states Alagoas, Bahia, Espírito Santo, Mato Grosso, Minas Gerais, Paraíba, Paraná, Pernambuco, Rio de Janeiro, and São Paulo.
Mike's
Opinion
"
This is a remarkable species, with large height and diameter, and impressive longevity. There is no evidence of compromise by susceptibility to pests or pathogens, but this is a species of low-density population, and is highly desired, which perhaps explains why this species is on the IUCN list. In natural environments and their multiple ethnobotanical uses, as well as its exuberant leafy appearance, make this species very attractive in parks or used in regeneration of degraded areas.
Michael Pascoe, NDP., ODH., CLT., MSc. (Plant Conservation)
"
| Family |
| Lecythidaceae |
| Genus |
| Cariniana |
| Species |
| legalis |
| Category |
| Woody |
| Type |
| Tree (deciduous) |
| USDA Hardiness Zone |
| 12 - 13 |
| Canadian Hardiness Zone |
| greater than 9a |
| RHS Hardiness Zone |
| H1a |
| Temperature (°C) |
| 25 - 30 |
| Temperature (°F) |
| 77 - 89 |
| Height |
| 60 - 70 m |
Photographs
Cultivars
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Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
| General Description |
| It reaches a height of up to 60 m, considered one of the largest trees of the Atlantic forest biome, and has excellent wood quality. Due to its characteristics, this species is threatened and is on the IUCN list, according to the IUCN in the A2cd criterion, so there are great efforts by scientists for its conservation. |
| Landscape |
| This species has good phytosanitary qualities, excellent wood quality, and a peculiar appearance due to its large size and diameter, and beautiful crown. However, its flowers are small and there are no autumn colours. It can be used in a landscaping context, such as using the specimen in large areas or parks. The species can be used in public squares or for the regeneration of degraded areas, because it plays an important ecological role in its habitat; for example by providing food for animals and shade for other species. |
| Cultivation |
| For the cultivation of C. legalis it is recommended that deep soils with good fertility and loamy texture be used. It is not recommended for planting on the slopes of watercourses or on poorly drained soils. The species develops best when it needs an average annual rainfall of 1,000-2,600 mm. The species presents low tolerance to low temperatures. It is a semi-heliophilous species that develops well even with shading in the first years of life. It also develops well with high light exposure, such plasticity makes its use attractive for the regeneration of degraded areas. |
| Shape |
| The tree has an elongated main trunk that grows significantly in diameter. Its rounded canopy is umbrella-shaped and broad. It has horizontal branches and dense foliage. |
| Growth |
| Slow |
| ID Characteristic |
| This species has an incredible stature and a long cylindrical trunk, which can reach up to 60 m. It has very characteristic woody fruits similar to urns, in the shape of elongated pyxidium, with a lid that opens to release the seeds. One of its common names in Portuguese (Jequitiba-Rosa or Pink-Jequitiba) refers to the colour of its wood, which has a rosy-brown or beige-pink heartwood. |
| Pests |
| There is little record of diseases and pests for this species in the literature, some works mention that there are no serious phytosanitary problems. However, although not significant, this plant can be infected by the fungus Pestalotiopsis neglecta that causes leaf lesions. Xylophagous insects, which feed on the plant's sap, can manifest themselves when the plant is in adverse conditions. |
| Habitat |
| The species is considered a late secondary tree essentially of humid forest and occurs naturally in different biomes, mainly in the Atlantic rainforest, with occurrences in savannas and Amazon rainforest. It occurs in Dense Ombrophilous Forest, Seasonal semi-deciduous, mountain, submontane and alluvial forests. The species is emergent and occupies the upper canopy of dense primary. |
| Bark/Stem Description |
| The outer bark is dark brown and brownish, with a rough texture and deep grooves, and the inner bark is reddish. Its bark is up to 50 mm thick. It presents monopodial ramifications. The height of the stem is 10 to 20m. |
| Flower/Leaf Bud Description |
| The inflorescences buttons are ramiflorous, but are rarely found in an axillary form. |
| Leaf Description |
| The leaves are 4 to 8 cm long and 1.7 to 4 cm wide. They are ovate-oblong to elliptic, crenate, toothed, and alternate. The leaves are glabrous and membranaceous. Petioles are 5-7 mm and the leaf margin has 13-25 teeth and 9-13 pairs of lateral veins. |
| Flower Description |
| Individuals of C. legalis have inflorescences in panicles of up to 18 cm, usually located on the upper leaves, although they can rarely be found in the leaf axils. The flowers are 5-6 mm long, pale yellow to cream in colour, and are organized in small racemes. The flowers are trilocular. The flowers are hermaphrodite, with non-fimbriate petals and cream sepals. |
| Fruit Description |
| Its fruits are woody and of the elongated pyxidium type. They are cylindrical, woody, dehiscent and trilocular. The fruit has a lid called operculum that detaches for the release of the seeds, where each one carries 10 to 15 seeds. Seed dehiscence occurs in the tree itself, and are dispersed by gravity or wind. The fruits are 4.5 to 7 cm long, 1.5 to 3 cm in diameter and are dark brown. Its seeds are semicircular or triangular. |
| Colour Description |
| This is a semi-deciduous species that does not present great changes in its colouring during the year. Its young leaves are reddish and reach a bright green tone later on. Its foliage is dense. Its fruiting occurs in late winter and early spring, usually beginning after 20 years of age. Its inflorescences are inconspicuous and occur at different times according to latitude. |
| Texture Description |
| It has a slightly rough, medium, glossy and uniform texture |
| Notable Specimens |
| It has several remarkable specimens due to its stature and longevity. It is possible to find huge specimens in environmentally protected areas, such as In the Vassununga State Park in Santa Rita de Passa Quatro-SP Brazil, where there are several specimens. The largest known living specimen is located at the Cabruca Institute in Bahia State (Brazil), with a height of 41m. On the Campus of Ciencias Agrarias of the Universidade Federal de São Carlos, in Araras-SP (Brazil), there is a beautiful specimen of the species with great stature. |
| Propagation |
| The main method of propagation of this species is via seeds. The species has a good germination rate, up to 50% in young seeds. The procedure recommended is to harvest the fruits from the tree when they begin to open the pyxidium. The fruits are placed in the sun to complete the opening. Perform the sowing in clay substrate, without any previous treatment. When the seedlings reach 6-7 cm, transplant them to individual seedlings. The seedlings should be taken to their definitive location at 6-7 months. Precautions should be taken with the seeds, as they are recalcitrant and quickly lose their viability. Other propagation methods have also been studied, such as with plant cuttings using indoyl butyric acid, with success rates of up to 45%, or micropropagation. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses (Disclaimer) |
| This is a species with many uses. It has great versatility due to the quality of its wood, it can be used in carpentry, cabinetmaking, civil construction, toys, handicrafts, and others activities. It also produces good quality paper due to its content of cellulose and lignin. C. legalis flowers attract bees, and can be used in beekeeping. The species is also used medicinally, and resins and tannins can be extracted from it. Its bark has a disinfectant action, is used in traditional medicine against inflammation, and can be consumed as an infusion. The flowers are used in vaginal washings to treat diseases of the uterus and ovary. |
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