Rank Species | Genus Carapa Higher classification Carapa | |
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Similar Carapa, Cupuaçu, Mauritia flexuosa, Astrocaryum murumuru, Meliaceae | ||
Carapa guianensis is a species of the family Meliaceae (Mahogany family). The tree grows in the Amazon region, Central America and the Caribbean. It is a tall tree with dense foliage, which usually grows in the tropical rain forest along the edge of rivers. The wood resembles mahogany and is used in quality furniture. From the seeds is derived a plant oil which have medicinal properties. Also, the oil is used as a repellent against insects.
Oil
The oil contained in the andiroba almond, known as crab oil or carap oil, is light yellow and extremely bitter. When subjected to a temperature below 25 °C, it solidifies, with a consistency like that of petroleum jelly. It contains olein, palmitin and glycerin.
The oil is used in Brazil to protect furniture from termites and other wood-chewing insects.
