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Summary

Handroanthus guayacan is a deciduous tree with a narrow or crowded crown that can be found in northern South America. It grows about 60 m in height with trunk diameter of up to 60 cm. It has low but prominent buttresses. It is a source of high quality timber and it is also planted as an ornamental due to its attractive yellow inflorescence. Not only is the wood hard, durable, and dense, it is also resistant to insect attack. It finishes smoothly and is considered excellent for construction uses. It is used for tool handles, boats, etc. Plant propagation is through seeds, cuttings of half ripe wood, and air layering.

Physical Characteristics

Handroanthus guayacan is a deciduous Tree growing to 40 m (131ft) by 25 m (82ft) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in saline soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant can tolerate maritime exposure.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Tabebuia guayacan (Seem.) Hemsl. Tecoma guayacan Seem.

Habitats

Edible Uses

None known

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.

None known

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Wood

Other Uses: The heartwood is olive-brown to reddish-brown, often with lighter or darker fine striping, sometimes tinged with red; rather sharply demarcated from the creamy-white or yellowish sapwood which is 50 - 75mm wide[341 ]. The appearance is frequently oily; yellow-green deposits of lapachol are abundant; the lustre is low to medium; the grain typically interlocked producing a fine, stripe figure on quarter-sawn surfaces; the texture is fine to medium, moderately uniform[341 ]. The wood is hard, dense, durable, resistant to insect attack, resilient and highly resistant to shock[46 , 341 ]. It is reported to be rather difficult to work and inclined to splinter, but it finishes very smoothly, turns well and polishes nicely. It is difficult to glue and pre-boring is necessary before nailing[341 ]. The wood is highly esteemed where available, and is considered excellent for construction purposes, especially where durability is important[331 ]. It is also used for boats, tool handles etc[46 ]. The Cathedral of Panama Vieja contained beams of this wood, and these were reported to be perfectly sound after having been exposed to the weather since the destruction of the city some 250 years previously[331 ].

Special Uses

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

A plant of mainly moist areas in the lowland tropics, though it can also be found at elevations up to 1,200 metres[331 ]. Plants are tolerant of salt-laden winds[200 ]. This species is closely related to Handroanthus chrysanthus[331 ].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe[200 ]. Cuttings of half-ripe wood[200 ]. Air layering[200 ].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Guayacán

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Belize; Colombia; Costa Rica; Guatemala; Honduras; Mexico; Nicaragua; Panama; Peru; Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of

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 itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : This taxon has not yet been assessed

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Handroanthus impetiginosus	Pau D'Arco, Pink Trumpet Tree	Tree	20.0	10-12	F	LMH	N	M	2	4	3
Handroanthus serratifolius	Yellow Trumpet Tree	Tree	30.0	10-12	M	LMH	N	M	0	2	5

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

(Seem.) S.Grose

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.

Handroanthus guayacan - (Seem.) S.Grose