Taralea oppositifolia

Aubl.

Opposite taralea, English tonka bean

Fabaceae Edible: Seeds - extract for flavouring 10 iNaturalist observations

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Description

A shrub with a climbing habit or a tree. It can grow 30 m tall. The leaves are opposite. They are divided with leaflets along the edges. The flowers are in groups in the axils of leaves or at the ends of branches. They are purple, streaked with violet.

Edible Uses

The seeds are extracted and used as a flavoring agent.

Medicinal Uses

The plant is used medicinally.

Distribution

It is a tropical plant. It grows in forests near rivers.

Where It Grows

Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, South America*, Suriname, Venezuela,

Other Uses

The seeds contain an unscented oil that is suitable for industrial purposes. The heartwood is dark to brown with a pale orange sapwood. The wood has a distinctive odour, similar to rubber. It is durable, with an interlocked grain and medium texture. Easy when working with green or humid wood and finishes well. It is used for flooring and in construction.

Notes

It is mentioned as being used for medicine.

Synonyms

Baryosma oppositifolium (Aubl.) Pers.Coumarouna coriacea (Desv.) Taub.Coumarouna oppositifolia (Willd.) Taub.Coumarouna speciosa DuckeDipteryx applanata Benth.Dipteryx nudipes Tul.Dipteryx oppositifolia Willd.Dipteryx oppositifolia var. parviflora (Benth.) DugandDipteryx speciosa (Ducke) DuckeSwartzia coriacea Desv.Taralea nudipes (Tul.) DuckeTaralea oppositifolia var. parviflora Benth.

Also Known As

Cumaru, Cunduru, Tarala, Zapatero

References (4)

Encyclopedia of Life.
Kew Plants of the World Online
Wiersema, J. H. & Leon, B., 2013, World Economic Plants. A Standard Reference CRC Press. 2nd Ed. p 676
World Checklist of Useful Plant Species 2020. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew