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Summary
Physical Characteristics

Guibourtia copallifera is an evergreen Tree growing to 20 m (65ft) by 15 m (49ft) at a slow rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The flowers are pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Copaifera copallifera (Benn.) Milne-Redh. Copaifera copallina Baill. Copaifera guibourtiana Benn. Copaiva copallifera (Benn.) Kuntze Copaiva guibourtiana Lyons
Habitats
Edible Uses
References More on Edible Uses
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
The resin obtained from the tree is used for medicinal purposes[317 ]. The bark and leaves are also used medicinally[317 ].
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
The tree is a source of Sierra Leone copal, used in varnishes[46 , 317 ]. Copal is a hard resin, obtained from various tropical trees, that is used to make varnish[K ]. The wood has some resemblance to rosewood[316 ]. The heartwood is pink, vivid red, or red-brown with purple streaks or veins, on exposure becomes yellow or medium brown with a reddish tint[316 ]. The sapwood is whitish and clearly demarcated[316 ]. The texture is fine and even, the grain straight or interlocked, lustrous, sometimes highly figured[316 ]. It has an unpleasant odour when first cut which disappears on drying[316 ]. Though quite hard and heavy it works, saws, and planes rather well and produces a good finish, glues well[316 ]. The heartwood has good durability and is resistant to termite attack[316 ]. It is a good wood for turning, and is used to make fine furniture and cabinetwork, decorative veneers, fancy turnery, inlay work[316 ].
Special Uses
Carbon Farming
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
Industrial Crop: Hydrocarbon Industrial Crop: Medicinal Management: Standard Regional Crop
Although many species within the family Fabaceae have a symbiotic relationship with soil bacteria, this species is said to be devoid of such a relationship and therefore does not fix atmospheric nitrogen[755 ].
Carbon Farming
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Industrial Crop: Hydrocarbon
Materials, chemicals and energy include bioplastics, rubber, biomass products gasoline, jet fuel, diesel, butane, propane, biogas. Plants are usually resprouting plants and saps.
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Industrial Crop: Medicinal
Most pharmaceuticals are synthesized from petroleum but 25% of modern medicines are based on plants.
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Management: Standard
Plants grow to their standard height. Harvest fruit, seeds, or other products. Non-Destructive management systems.
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Regional Crop
These crops have been domesticated and cultivated regionally but have not been adopted elsewhere and are typically not traded globally, Examples in this broad category include perennial cottons and many nuts and staple fruits.
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:
Fahrenheit:
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Propagation
Seed
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Gum-copal; true gum-copal; red gum; yellow gum; ‘gun copper’, pau ferro, pó de fero, kaki, mélamberi, u séra, é untu, yuntu, melámberi, bu mana, copalier; copalier de Guinea
Found In
Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available
Burkina Faso; Côte d'Ivoire; Guinea; Guinea-Bissau; Liberia; Mali; Senegal; Sierra Leone
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.
None Known
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : This taxon has not yet been assessed
Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.
Expert comment
Author
Benn.
Botanical References
Links / References
For a list of references used on this page please go here
A special thanks to Ken Fern for some of the information used on this page.
Readers comment
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Subject : Guibourtia copallifera
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