red ucuuba
Virola sebifera Aubl.
Virola sebifera, known as red ucuuba, is a species of tree in the Myristicaceae family, native to a wide range of regions in South and Central America. It is distinguished by its unique morphological features, including dense pubescence of pediculate and ferruginous trichomes, and is commonly found in diverse habitats across the Amazon basin and surrounding areas.
Description
Virola sebifera is a shrub or tree that can grow up to 40 meters tall with a diameter at breast height (DBH) of 7 to 40 cm. It is characterized by its dense pubescence of pediculate and ferruginous trichomes, which cover nearly all parts of the plant. The leaf blades are bright green on the upper surface and whitish to greyish on the lower surface, with 9 to 17 lateral veins per side. The staminate inflorescences are long and highly branched, with staminate flowers having a short filament column and anthers that are more than twice the length of the filament column. The fruits are small, globose to subglobose, and covered in a dense layer of trichomes that easily fall off. The pericarp is thin, and the aril is thin and laciniate in narrow bands. The bark is dark, vertically fissured, or flaking, and the exudate is red or reddish. The flowers are fragrant, with a lemon or sweet aroma, and the mature fruit is green with a white seed and a red aril.
Habitat
Virola sebifera is found in a variety of habitats, including tropical rainforests, lowland and montane forests, and is commonly associated with the Amazon basin. It is distributed across several countries, including Brazil, Colombia, Bolivia, and Costa Rica, and is often found in protected areas such as national parks and reserves. The species is adapted to a range of environmental conditions and can be found in both wet and drier forest types.
Cultivation
Virola sebifera is not commonly cultivated outside of its native range, but it can be grown in tropical and subtropical climates with adequate moisture and well-drained soils. It prefers partial shade to full sun and benefits from regular watering, especially during the establishment phase. Propagation can be done through seeds, which should be sown fresh for best germination results. The species is relatively hardy and can tolerate some degree of shade and variable soil conditions.
Uses
Virola sebifera has limited documented uses, but like other members of the Myristicaceae family, it may have potential for use in traditional medicine or as a source of aromatic compounds. The red exudate from the plant is notable and may have local applications. However, the species is primarily of ecological interest, contributing to the biodiversity of the tropical forests where it is found.
Other common names
red ucuubavirola-nutvirola
Distribution
BR · Rionegro · Parque Nacional Natutral de Amacayacu | Parque Nacional Natural Serranía de Chiribiquete | Parque Nacional Natural Yaigojé Apaporis | Parque Nacional Natural Cahuinarí | Parque Nacional Natural Catatumbo Barí | Parque Nacional Natural Las Orquídeas | Parq · Núcleo Manuelita |Núcleo Unipalma · El Carmen de Chucurí | Lebrija | Puerto Parra | Puerto Wilches | Socorro · Parque Nacional Natural Tinigua · Amazonas, Antioquia, Caquetá, Cauca, Chocó, Córdoba, Guainía, La Guajira, Guaviare, Magdalena, Meta, Santander, Tolima, Valle, Vaupés, Vichada · Amazonia nororiental de Colombia, departamento del Guainía, municipio de Inírida. · Global · TomoGrande, 4.856823|-70.223777 · Cuenca de Río Claro · Microcuenca alta de río Tillavá · Parque Nacional Natural Serranía de Chiribiquete (PNNSCh) · Bolivia · Brazil Northeast · Brazil North · Brazil Southeast · Brazil West-Central · Colombia · Costa Rica · Ecuador · French Guiana · Guyana · Honduras · Nicaragua · Panamá · Peru · Suriname · Venezuela · Barrancabermeja | Leticia | Villavicencio | Manizales
Synonyms
Knema sebiferaVirola venezuelensisVirola warburgiiVirola mycetisVirola panamensisVirola boliviensisVirola mocoaVirola peruviana var. tomentosaMyristica sebiferaMyristica panamensisMyristica mocoaMyristica sebifera var. curvinerviaMyristica sebifera var. cordifoliaPalala sebiferaPalala mocoaPalala panamensisMyristica virolaVirola sebifera var. curvinerviaMyristica cordifolia