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Tree Species (Scientific Name)

Hura crepitans

Tree Family

Euphorbiaceae

Average Leaf Size (cm)

10cm

Length

8cm

Width

Tree Height

Large (> 35m)

Elevational Range (m)

0–1550m

Distribution

Native

Exotic

Native to Peru

Native to

Region

Americas

Latin America

Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guyana, Honduras, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela

Coffee Agroforestry Information

Coffee System

Arabica

Coffee Impact

Beneficial to coffee

Prevalence

Unknown

Cultivation

Planted

Natural

Tree Management

When the fruits ripen they explode to disperse the seeds and cause a strong detonation, hence their common name 'thunderer'. The seed is best planted as soon as it is ripe in a partially shaded position in individual containers. Normally a high germination rate can be expected, with the seed sprouting within 30-40 days. They will be ready for planting 4-5 months later. The sap of these trees is very toxic and irritating, feared by wood cutters, who let the tree 'bleed' before cutting it down. Grows rapidly and established plants are very drought tolerant.

Tree Benefits and Uses

Farmer Uses

Food
Livestock Forage
Firewood
Lumber
Medicinal
Product

It is used in the manufacture of boats, in general carpentry, interior construction, boxes, and furniture. In the past, sap and crushed leaves were used as a poison to catch fish. Handicrafts are made with the fruits. The seeds and sap are used in the treatment of elephantiasis, leprosy, fevers and roundworms. An infusion is prepared to treat and disinfect sores.

Farm Services

Coffee Shade

Coffee Shade: grown as a shade tree in cocoa and coffee plantations, or as a support for vanilla plants

Biodiversity Benefits

Yes

Eaten by fruit bats. The rubber of the trunk is consumed by the marmoset. It is used as a perch by birds.

Citations

Solis R, Vallejos-Torres G, Arévalo L, Marín-Díaz J, Ñique-Alvarez M, Engedal T, Bruun TB (2020). Carbon stocks and the use of shade trees in different coffee growing systems in the Peruvian Amazon. The Journal of Agricultural Science 1–11. https:// doi.org/10.1017/S002185962000074X;

Plants of the World Online POWO (2022). "Plants of the World Online. Facilitated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Published on the Internet http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org;

Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute: Hura crepitans (L.). Accessed 5 Oct 2022. Published on the Internet: https://panamabiota.org/stri/taxa/index.php?taxon=Hura+crepitans&formsubmit=Search+Terms;

Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2022-10-12. tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Hura+crepitans;

Encyclopedia of Life. Accessed 27 June 2022. Available from http://eol.org;

Hura crepitans L. in GBIF Secretariat (2021). GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Accessed on 2022-10-12. Checklist dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/39omei

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