Tree Species (Scientific Name)
Richeria grandis
Lumber
Medicinal
Tree Family
Phyllanthaceae
Average Leaf Size (cm)
16.56cm
Length
×
8.21cm
Width
Tree Height
Small (10–20m)
Elevational Range (m)
850–1500m
Distribution
Native
Exotic
Native to Peru
Native to
Region
Americas
Latin America
Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Guyana, Panama, Peru, Venezuela
Coffee Agroforestry Information
Coffee System
Arabica
Coffee Impact
Beneficial to coffee
Prevalence
Not Common in Coffee Agroforestry
Cultivation
Planted
Natural
Tree Management
Planted by seeds and cuttings in nursery. Plant fresh seeds in a partially shaded nursery. A germination rate of more than 50% can be expected, and the seeds sprout within 100-120 days. The species is an aluminum accumulator and is capable of accumulating 15,000 ppm of aluminum. The plant was able to tolerate potentially toxic levels of aluminum primarily by depositing the metal on its leaf walls. It has a low incidence of pests.
Tree Benefits and Uses
Farmer Uses
- Lumber
- Medicinal
Used locally to make items such as broom handles, boxes and small artifacts.
Farm Services
- Coffee Shade
- Soil Improvement
Coffee Shade: provides sparse to medium shade
Soil Improvement: the species is an aluminum accumulator and is capable of tolerating potentially toxic levels of aluminum
Soil Improvement: the species is an aluminum accumulator and is capable of tolerating potentially toxic levels of aluminum
Biodiversity Benefits
Yes
It houses insects in leaves and bark that are consumed by insectivorous bird species.
Citations
Citations
Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2022-06-23. tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Richeria+grandis;
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;
Murillo-A., J. 2022-7-12. Richeria grandis Vahl En Bernal, R., S.R. Gradstein & M. Celis (eds.). 2015.;
Catálogo de plantas y líquenes de Colombia. Instituto de Ciencias Naturales, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá. http://catalogoplantasdecolombia.unal.edu.co;
Mendoza, A. L. M., & Guerrero, M. H. (2010). Catálogo de los árboles y afines de la Selva Central del Perú. Arnaldoa, 17, 203-242.