- ATLAS OF WOODS
- Species Data Sheet
- ORIGIN: Amazon
Angelim-amargoso
- Vatairea guianensis
Angelim-amargoso is a tree native to the Amazon, known for its strong, durable wood. It is widely used in building construction and exterior structures, and is also economically relevant to the timber sector.
Family
Fabaceae
Color
Yellowish brown to dark brown
Density
0.70 to 0.90 g/cm³
Uses
Heavy construction, beams and structures, bridges and piles, flooring, railroad ties and heavy-duty joinery.
Grain
Generally interlocked
Conservation Passport
- CITES
- Not listed
- BRAZILIAN RED LIST
- Not on the official list
- LEGISLATION
- Not on the official list of threatened species: native trees may only be harvested under an approved PMFS or a vegetation-removal authorization from the environmental agency, and transport requires a DOF (Sinaflor).
About the species
Angelim-amargoso (Vatairea guianensis) is a tree species native to the Amazon rainforest, belonging to the Fabaceae family.
It stands out for the high strength of its wood and its good natural durability, and is widely used in structural applications.
It produces heavy, strong wood, widely used in construction and in the Amazonian timber industry.
In timber practice, the name angelim-amargoso may not refer to a single botanical species but to a group of woods with similar characteristics, especially in density, durability and the presence of bitter-tasting substances.
The genus Vatairea includes several tropical tree species that produce dense, durable wood.
The term “amargoso” (bitter) refers to the bitter taste of extracts from the wood or bark.
- Common names
Historical and cultural significance
– Angelim-amargoso is of great economic importance in the Amazon region.
– Traditionally, its wood is used in heavy construction, exterior structures, bridges and rural works.
– Because of its strength, it became one of the most widely used woods for structural applications in the region.
Botanical classification
- DOMAIN
- Eukaryota
- KINGDOM
- Plantae
- DIVISION
- Magnoliophyta
- CLASS
- Magnoliopsida
- ORDER
- Fabales
- FAMILY
- Fabaceae
- GENUS
- Vatairea
- SPECIES
- Vatairea guianensis
Natural distribution
- States of occurrence
- Ecology and habitat
– Biome: Amazon.
– Environment: terra firme forests.
– Soil: generally clayey and well drained.
– Altitude: low to medium.
– Countries (Amazon region): Brazil / the Guianas / Venezuela / Colombia / Peru
Tree morphology
- SIZE
- Large tree, 25 to 40 m tall.
- TRUNK
- Straight and cylindrical.
- BARK
- Thick, dark brown.
- CROWN
- High and relatively open.
- DBH
- 60 to 100 cm.
- LEAVES
- Compound and alternate.
- FRUIT
- Pods containing seeds.
Maturity and harvest
- Timeline · from seed to senescence
Economic harvest · 40 to 60 years
economic harvest age
Full maturity · 60 to 80 years
peak wood quality, the stage at which mature wood predominates
– Angelim-amargoso grows at a moderate rate.
– Forest management is based on a minimum cutting diameter, generally above 50 cm DBH.
Wood characteristics
- HEARTWOOD
- Yellowish brown to dark brown.
- SAPWOOD
- Very pale brown, clearly distinct from the heartwood.
- TEXTURE
- Medium to coarse.
- GRAIN
- Generally interlocked.
- Working properties
– Density: Medium to high (0.70 to 0.90 g/cm³).
– Workability: Moderate.
– Mechanical strength: High.
– Resistance to fungi and insects: Good to high.
Wood uses
- Uses of the tree
Conservation and legislation
Additional information
– Angelim-amargoso is one of the Amazon’s main structural woods.
– It stands out for its high mechanical strength, high natural durability and wide use in exterior works.
– The extremely bitter taste of the wood is associated with chemical compounds characteristic of the genus.