Brosimum guianense

The wood is noted for its high natural durability and exceptional physical properties, which are linked to its anatomical and chemical composition. The heartwood consists of approximately 39% lignin, 54% carbohydrates, and 0.4% lipophilic compounds of unspecified origin. The fibres are very thick-walled, while the vessels contain numerous sclerotic tyloses and organic deposits. Extractives occur in high concentrations in the parenchyma cells, tyloses, and cell walls; some of the detected phenolic extractives are flavonoid in character. Calcium oxalate crystals are found in the upright and square ray cells and, more sporadically, in axial parenchyma cells. These features contribute to the wood’s well-known natural durability.^[4]

The wood is also extremely dense and mechanically strong. At 12% moisture content, heartwood density ranges from 1.1 to 1.4 g/cm³. Its compressive strength is 119 N/mm², flexural strength 241 N/mm², elastic modulus 23,200 N/mm², and hardness 196 N/mm², indicating exceptionally high elastomechanical properties.^[4]

It was the wood of choice for the making of bows for musical instruments of the violin family until the late 18th century, when it was replaced by the more easily worked brazilwood (Paubrasilia echinata).

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  Leaves and twig
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  Close up of adaxial surface of leaf
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  Close up of abaxial surface of leaf
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  Ripe fruit
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  Section of unripe fruit
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  Seeds
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  Bole
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  Latex oozing from wound
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  Figure on heartwood