Name: Goupie; Kabukalli; Saino; Sapino; Kopi (Surinam); Kabukalli (Guyana); Goupi; Bois-caca (French Guiana); Pasisi (Wayampi language); Pasis (Palikur language); Kopi (Businenge language); Cupiuba (Brazil).
Synonym: Glossopetalum glabrum; Glossopetalum tomentosum; Goupia paraensis; Goupia tomentosa.
Region: tropical South America, northern Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, Surinam, Venezuela, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, Panama.
Habitat: rain forests, lower montane forests, marsh forests; well-drained, clayey, sandy or loamy soils; full sun to moderate shade; drought tolerant.
Use: medicine; source of wood.
TaxonomyGoupia was formerly placed in
Celastraceae.
BotanyLarge, fast-growing tree, 50 m tall.
Stem: 1.3 m diameter, often buttressed; bark rough, silvery-grey to reddish-grey bark; evergreen.
Leaves: alternate, broad, lanceolate, entire margin, petiole with a complex vascular system.
Flowers: small, yellow-green, 5 sepals, 5 petals; in clusters.
Fruit: orange-red berry-like drupe, 5 mm.
Pollination: by wind.diameter, containing 5–10 seeds.
Dispersion: by birds.