Crabwood
Carapa guianensis
- Native to:
- Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Leeward Is., Nicaragua, Panamá, Peru, Suriname, Trinidad-Tobago, Windward Is.
Photo by David J. Stang,Photo by David J. Stang,Unknown author Unknown author,Mauroguanandi,BlankMap-World.svg : Roke derivative work: Begoon,Fusée Aublet,Forest and Kim Starr (www.flickr.com),Forest and Kim Starr (www.flickr.com),Forest and Kim Starr (www.flickr.com),Forest and Kim Starr (www.flickr.com),Forest and Kim Starr (www.flickr.com),Forest and Kim Starr (www.flickr.com)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Meliaceae
- Genus:
- Carapa
- Species:
- Carapa guianensis
- USDA Symbol:
- CAGU6
Growth Characteristics
- Height:
- 4000 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun,Shade
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- cream, white
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Mahogany shoot borer (Hypsipyla sp.)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, bats, small mammals
- Fragrant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- commonly found in floodplain forests
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds are recalcitrant and must be sown fresh; they lose viability quickly if dried.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI