Terminalia buceras

Terminalia 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.[2] It is native to Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and northern South America.[3] It is commonly found in coastal swamps and wet inland forests in low elevations.[4][5]

Terminalia buceras
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Myrtales
Family: Combretaceae
Genus: Terminalia
Species:
T. buceras
Binomial name
Terminalia buceras
(L.) C.Wright
Synonyms[1]
  • Buceras bucida Crantz
  • Bucida buceras L.
  • Bucida ophiticola Bisse
  • Bucida palustris Borhidi & O.Muñiz
  • Bucida subinermis Bisse
  • Myrobalanus buceras (L.) Kuntze
Bucida buceras leaves

Distribution

The species is native to the Neotropical realm. Countries and regions in which it grows are: Colombia; Panama; Costa Rica; Venezuelan Antilles; Nicaragua; Windward Islands; Honduras; Guatemala; Mexico (Southeast, Southwest, Gulf, Central); Leeward Islands; Belize; Hispaniola (Dominican Republic, Haiti); Jamaica; Puerto Rico; Cuba; Turks-Caicos Islands; Bahamas. It is regarded as introduced in Florida and Trinidad and Tobago.[1]

Growth

To grow it prefers high sunlight and rich, moist, well drained soil. It is highly tolerant to salt, insects, fungus, wind, and air pollution.[4][5] Its roots are able to dig up paving stones and damage foundations.[5]

Wood

The wood of the bullet tree is extremely hard and durable. Being highly resistant 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 tannin content.[4][5] It is also often used as an ornamental/shade tree.[5]

The wood was also used for ship construction during the Age of Sail. The frame of Trelawney Planter, built in Jamaica in 1790, was constructed of bullet tree wood.[6]

References
  1. "Terminalia buceras (L.) C.Wright". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 17 April 2021.
  2. Grandtner, Miroslav M. (2005). Elsevier's Dictionary of Trees: Volume 1. Amsterdam: Elsevier. p. 121. ISBN 0444517847.
  3. "Species Information: Bucida buceras". AgroForestryTree Database. International Center for Research in Agroforestry. Archived from the original on 19 May 2013. Retrieved 19 May 2013.
  4. Harris, Kate (2009). Trees of Belize. Belize: Bay Cedar Publishing. p. 110. ISBN 9780992758202.
  5. "Bucida buceras - Useful Tropical Plants". tropical.theferns.info. Retrieved 2019-09-09.
  6. Lloyd's Register (1792), Seq.No.T189.
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