| Parapiptadenia rigida | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Division: | Magnoliophyta |
| Class: | Magnoliopsida |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Subfamily: | Mimosoideae |
| Genus: | Parapiptadenia |
| Species: | P. rigida |
| Binomial name | |
| Parapiptadenia rigida (Benth.)Brenan |
|
| Range of Parapiptadenia rigida | |
| Synonyms | |
Parapiptadenia rigida is a perennial shrub or tree. It is not a threatened species. It is native to Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay. Common names include Angico, Angico-cedro, Angico-do-banhado, Angico-dos-montes, Angico-verdadeiro, Angico-vermelho, Guarucaia and Paric.[1]
Parapiptadenia rigida grows from about 18m to 30m in height and it has a straight trunk which has slightly furrowed bark. The foliage is dark green and the flowers are greenish-yellow 5 cm to 9 cm long. It blooms in the Spring. The seed pods grow 9 cm to 16 cm in length. The seeds are flat, oval and brown. It is found along the lengths of rivers.
Contents |
"Essential oils" from the tree are becoming more widely recognized in industrial fragrance production.[2]
Gum from the tree can be used in the same way as gum arabic.[3]
Extracts from the tree have astringent, expectorant, anti-diarrheal, and hemmorage-arresting properties.[4] It is used for its antiseptic properties in southern Brazil.[5] The bark has a high tannin content of 15.0%[6] and it is used in folk medicine as a bitter-tasting tonic and body cleanser. It is used to treat rickets, lack of appetite and muscle weakness.[7] Parapiptadenia rigida is psychoactive.[8]
The tree's bark contains 15.0% tannin.[9]
Its dense, wood is resistant to the elements and is used for construction,[10] carpentry, beams for bridges,[7] poles and firewood.[11] The wood is said to be unaffected by insects including termites and it can last more than 20 years unpainted.
It has a "Janka Hardness" of 2300-3700 lb.,[12] a parallel "bending strength" of 16900 psi, a parallel "compression strength" of 8500 psi and a density of 720–1199 kg/m³[13][14] at a moisture content of 12-15%. Its modulus of elasticity is 157 801 kg/cm².[15]
For hardwood flooring it is called "Pepperwood."[12]