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Family: Meliaceae
American Muskwood, more... (es: cedro blanco, cedro macho, chuchupate)
[Guarea parva C. DC., moreGuarea trichilioides L.] |
Description: A medium-sized tree with a straight trunk that branches often. The leaves are alternate, compound, typically with 10-16 leaflets. There are an even number of leaflets, each opposite another in a pair (paripinnate); instead of a terminal leaflet, there is a small bud at the end of the leaf that extends beyond the final pair. This bud is capable of growth, and new leaflets can be added to the leaf. The base of the petiole is swollen, brown, and flattened from side to side. Reproduction: The flowers are small, white, in long stalks off the branches between or at the base of the leaves. They are produced from March to June. Fruits are globular, brown capsules, in clusters where the flower stalks were. The split open into 4-5 valves, and seeds within are covered with an orange-red tegument that attracts animals. Fruits mature from April to September. Distribution: Widespread in the lowlands of the Canal area, and very common at Barro Colorado, Soberania, and the forests around Gamboa. Can be found also in forests near the Pacific as well as near the Caribbean, but much less common near either coast. Similar Species: Compound, paripinnate leaves, with a brown, flattened swelling at the base of the petiole are traits of the family Meliaceae. Of the Meliaceae, LK swiema Swietenia macrophylla LK2 (the mahogany), LK cedrod Cedrela odorata, LK2 and LK caragu Carapa guianensis LK2 all bear a general resemblance to Guarea, but none have the bud at the tip of the leaf that all Guarea possess. The several Guarea can be difficult to separate from G. guidonia, especially LK guargr G. grandifolia, LK2 and the leaves need to be studied carefully. LK guargl G. glabra LK2 and the unnamed LK guarsp Guarea sp. LK2 on Barro Colorado are both quite like G. guidonia, but have pubescent leaves. Besides Meliaceae, one genus in the Sapindaceae, LK taline Talisia, LK2 also has paripinnate leaves with a brown swelling at the base, and might be mistaken for Guarea. Uses: Unlike the related LK swiema mahogany LK2 and LK cedrod Spanish cedar, LK2 Guarea does not have commercially valuable timber, although it is used locally for plywood, paper pulp, or basic construction. Descripción: Árbol de 10 a 25 m de alto. Tronco recto y cilíndrico, ramificado a baja altura. Corteza exterior marrón. Hojas paripinnadas y alternas, con 6-12 folíolos, opuestos en el raquis. Folíolos de 10-22 x 3-7 cm, ovado elípticos, con ápice acuminado, bordes enteros y base aguda. Pecíolo de 5-10 cm de largo y pulvinado en la base. Raquis con crecimiento indeterminado y prolongado en una yema terminal después del último par de folíolos. La especie es dioica. Flores blancas y aromáticas. Frutos en cápsulas globosas, de 1.5-2.5 cm de diámetro, marrón y con lenticelas blancas en la superficie exterior, dehiscentes en 3 ó 5 valvas al madurar. Semillas con sarcotesta roja o anaranjada. Datos Ecológicos: La especie crece a bajas y medianas elevaciones, en bosques húmedos o muy húmedos. En Panamá se encuentra en las provincias de Bocas del Toro, Chiriquí, Colón, Darién, Panamá y la comarca de Guna Yala. Común y fácil de observar en los bosques del Canal de Panamá. Florece y fructifica de septiembre a marzo. Las flores son visitadas por abejas y otros insectos. Especies Parecidas: A menudo se confunde con LK guargr Guarea grandifolia LK2 , pero G. grandifolia tiene hojas y frutos de mayor tamaño. LK ingaqu Inga nobilis LK2 y LK ingaje Inga jefensis LK2 tienen hojas muy parecidas, pero Inga presenta una glándula entre cada par de folíolos, lo cual no ocurre en Guarea. Usos: La madera es empleada en la carpintería, mobiliario, entarimados, ebanistería, contrachapado y pulpa para papel. Bocas Species Database Characteristics: Tree |