Guyana: Oil Rich New Tree Species

Botanists have discovered a new species of tree, Carapa akuri, in Guyana with commercial significance. This species had long been mistaken for Carapa guianensis, a tree widely dispersed across the Amazon and commonly logged for the furniture industry. Carapa akuri is named after the red-rumped agouti (Dasyprocta leporina) which is likely the main seed disperser of Carapa in Guyana. The indigenous Makushi name for the agouti is 'akuri'. The find is significant because it is an important source of natural oil for Makushi Amerindians and the cosmetic market. Oil from Carapa's large seeds is used for a variety of purposes, including treatment for dandruff and rashes, insect repellent and as a moisturizer. When produced from Carapa guianensis the oil is known as Crabwood oil or Andiroba. The species is also endemic to the region and may be at risk from logging, providing new impetus for protecting its diverse rainforest habitat. This single tree can save a forest as it is an important source of sustainable development within the Iwokrama forest, Guyana's innovative forest reserve that has become the centerpiece for the country's efforts to protect its forests through sustainable management.

Source: Non-Wood News, January 2010