Bucida buceras

Bucida buceras is a tree in the Combretaceae family. It is known by a variety of names in English, including bullet tree, black olive tree, gregorywood (or gregory wood), Antigua whitewood, and oxhorn bucida.[1] It is native to Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and northern South America.[2] It is commonly found in coastal swamps and wet inland forests in low elevations.[3][4]

Bucida buceras
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Myrtales
Family: Combretaceae
Genus: Bucida
Species:
B. buceras
Binomial name
Bucida buceras
Synonyms
  • Terminalia buceras C. Wright
Bucida buceras leaves

To grow it prefers high sunlight and rich, moist, well drained soil. It is highly tolerant to salt, insects, fungus, wind, and air pollution.[3][4] Its roots are able to dig up paving stones and damage foundations.[4]

The wood of the bullet tree is extremely hard and durable. Being highly resistance to insects and fungi, it is sometimes used for house posts or bridge timbers. The bark may be used for tanning leather due to its contained tannins.[3][4] Generally it is also often used as an ornamental/shade tree.[4]

References
  1. Grandtner, Miroslav M. (2005). Elsevier's Dictionary of Trees: Volume 1. Amsterdam: Elsevier. p. 121. ISBN 0444517847.
  2. "Species Information: Bucida buceras". AgroForestryTree Database. International Center for Research in Agroforestry. Archived from the original on 19 May 2013. Retrieved 19 May 2013.
  3. Harris, Kate (2009). Trees of Belize. Belize: Bay Cedar Publishing. p. 110. ISBN 9780992758202.
  4. "Bucida buceras - Useful Tropical Plants". tropical.theferns.info. Retrieved 2019-09-09.


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