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Tree Species (Scientific Name)

Sapium glandulosum

Tree Family

Euphorbiaceae

Average Leaf Size (cm)

11cm

Length

4.5cm

Width

Tree Height

Medium (20–35m)

Elevational Range (m)

1000–1500m

Distribution

Native

Exotic

Native to Peru

Native to

Region

Americas

Latin America

Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela

Coffee Agroforestry Information

Coffee System

Arabica

Coffee Impact

Beneficial to coffee

Prevalence

Not Common in Coffee Agroforestry

Cultivation

Planted

Natural

Tree Management

In nature, seeds germinate within a week or two after coming into contact with the moist forest floor. The seeds are dispersed by mammals and birds. The trees produce many fruits (3 seeds each) and are collected with sticks while climbing the tree. Once the fruits are opened, the pulp covering the seeds (approx. 23 thousand per kg) must be removed inside a container with water. Plant the seeds as soon as the fruit is ripe in a partially shaded nursery. A low germination rate can usually be expected, with the seed sprouting within 10 to 35 days. Seeds stored at 20°C remain viable for up to 15 months. Growth in nursery is very fast. Seedlings can reach 25-30 cm in height in a time of 2-3 months. They require full light during their initial development. Latex is toxic and can damage the eyes if it comes into contact. Trees of this species lose their leaves during the dry season.

Tree Benefits and Uses

Farmer Uses

Food
Firewood
Lumber
Medicinal
Product

Can be used for packaging, paneling, joinery, boxes, plywood, live fences, door and window frames, and as paper pulp. Its sap has been used against sclerosis and warts. Latex is sometimes collected from nature for local use as rubber.

Farm Services

Soil Improvement
Erosion Control
Reforestation

Erosion Control: helps stabilize riverbeds and can grow on steep slopes where soils are thin
Reforestation: a good pioneer species to restore forests as young and mature trees are robust, resistant to drought, excessive sunlight, and are often among the first woody plants to establish themselves in clearings caused by falling trees, landslides, or human intervention

Biodiversity Benefits

Yes

Its fruits support the diet of frugivorous birds.

Citations

Sapium glandulosum (L.) Morong in GBIF Secretariat (2021). GBIF Backbone Taxonomy. Accessed on 2022-07-06. Checklist dataset https://doi.org/10.15468/39omei;

Murillo-A., J. 2022-7-12. Sapium glandulosum (L.) Morong 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;

Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2022-07-12. tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Sapium+glandulosum;

Román, Francisco, et al. Guía para la propagación de 120 especies de árboles nativos de Panamá y el neotrópico. 2012.;

Mendoza, A. L. M., & Guerrero, M. H. (2010). Catálogo de los árboles y afines de la Selva Central del Perú. Arnaldoa, 17, 203-242.

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Chuchuhuasi

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