Region: south America, Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, the Guyanas; central America, Panama,Guatemala; Caribbean, Trinidad.
Habitat: dense primary forest, developed areas of secondary growth, floodplains, coastal forests; moist or wet, mixed forest, along stream banks; altitude little above sea level; sunny position; moist soil; tolerant of seasonal inundation of the soil; fast growth when young.
Use: wood for light carpentry, heavy and durable construction, fuel, charcoal.
BotanyEvergreen tree; pyramidal crown; 8 - 15 metres tall.
Stem: cylindrical; 30 - 40cm in diameter; wood coarse-textured, irregular-grained, heavy, low resistance to rot, reddish to purplish brown, moderately or very dense, difficult to work.