Andira inermis
Fabaceae FAMILY Least Concern

Andira inermis

Andira inermis

Edibility
1/5
Medicinal
2/5

Safety & Hazards

Many members of this genus are used medicinally, particularly to treat parasitic and other skin conditions, and to act as a drastic purgative. The powdered wood, bark and seeds are the parts most commonly used. However the medicinal use of these plants needs to be tempered with caution since the active compounds (the alkaloid andirine is most commonly mentioned) are toxic and, in all but small doses, can cause fever, delerium, vomiting and, in extreme cases, death[ 461 Title Diccionario das Plantas Uteis do Brasil Publication Author Correa M.P. Publisher Imprensa Nacional; Rio de Janeiro Year 1926 ISBN Description A massive work in 6 volumes giving details of the various uses of Brazilian plants. , 528 Title Indicador de Madeiras e Plantas Uteis do Brasil. Publication Author Fonseca E. T. De Website http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org Publisher Officinas graphicas Villas-Boas & Co.; Rio de Janeiro Year 1922 ISBN Description Brief details of some of the uses of Brazilian plants. It can be downloaded from the Internet. ]. Both caster oil (from Ricinus communis) and lemon juice are said to be effective antidotes[ 461 Title Diccionario das Plantas Uteis do Brasil Publication Author Correa M.P. Publisher Imprensa Nacional; Rio de Janeiro Year 1926 ISBN Description A massive work in 6 volumes giving details of the various uses of Brazilian plants. ]. The smoke from the wood is said to be toxic and to cause blindness if it gets in the eyes[ 307 Title Tropical and Subtropical Trees - A Worldwide Encyclopaedic Guide. Publication Author Barwick. M. Publisher Thames & Hudson, London Year 2004 ISBN 0-500-51181-0 Description A superb book, very concise and well written, giving a wealth of information on 400 or more species including descriptions, habitat, cultivation details and plant uses. A wealth of colour photographs bring each plant vividly to life. , 528 Title Indicador de Madeiras e Plantas Uteis do Brasil. Publication Author Fonseca E. T. De Website http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org Publisher Officinas graphicas Villas-Boas & Co.; Rio de Janeiro Year 1922 ISBN Description Brief details of some of the uses of Brazilian plants. It can be downloaded from the Internet. ].

Botanical Description

Andira inermis is a tall evergreen tree with a luxuriant, spreading canopy of large, glossy, rich green leaves and attractively scented small flowers[ 307 Title Tropical and Subtropical Trees - A Worldwide Encyclopaedic Guide. Publication Author Barwick. M. Publisher Thames & Hudson, London Year 2004 ISBN 0-500-51181-0 Description A superb book, very concise and well written, giving a wealth of information on 400 or more species including descriptions, habitat, cultivation details and plant uses. A wealth of colour photographs bring each plant vividly to life. ]. It grows up to 30 metres tall and, when in flower, attracts a host of pollinating insects[ 307 Title Tropical and Subtropical Trees - A Worldwide Encyclopaedic Guide. Publication Author Barwick. M. Publisher Thames & Hudson, London Year 2004 ISBN 0-500-51181-0 Description A superb book, very concise and well written, giving a wealth of information on 400 or more species including descriptions, habitat, cultivation details and plant uses. A wealth of colour photographs bring each plant vividly to life. ]. The bole can be straight and cylindrical, but is often not of good form. It is usually 50 - 70cm in diameter, exceptionally to 150cm, can be unbranched for up to 20 metres, and is unbuttressed or with slight buttresses[ 378 Title Present and Potential Commercial Timbers of the Caribbean Publication USDA Agricultural Handbook No. 207 Author Longwood.F.R. Publisher USDA Forest Service; Washington, DC. Year 1962 ISBN Description Quite detailed information on more than 60 species of Caribbean timber trees, giving species descriptions, habitat, detailed info on the wood and some info on other uses. Available for download on the internet. , 2122 Title Monograph of Andira (Leguminosae-Papilionoideae) Publication Systematic Botany Monographs, Vol. 64 pp 1-143 Author Pennington R.T. Publisher Year 2003 ISBN Description ]. Another report says that the tree is often supported by buttresses that can be up to 3 metres tall[ 331 Title Flora of Guatemala Publication Author Standley P.C. & J. A. Steyermark Website http://www.archive.org/ Publisher Year 1946 - 1976 ISBN Description A superb reference, though somewhat dated. Gives lots of plant uses as well as information on plant habit and habitat. The entire flora (13 volumes) can now be downloaded from http://www.archive.org/ , 1309 Title The Leguminosae; A Source Book of Characteristics, Uses and Nodulation Publication Author Allen O.N.; Allen E.K. Publisher University of Wisconsin Year 1981 ISBN 0-333-32221-5 Description An amazing and comprehensive work, giving a brief guide to the many genera of the family Fabaceae and also the principle uses of the genus. ]. The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials. It is a valuable commercial timber and is commonly harvested from the wild and exported[ 378 Title Present and Potential Commercial Timbers of the Caribbean Publication USDA Agricultural Handbook No. 207 Author Longwood.F.R. Publisher USDA Forest Service; Washington, DC. Year 1962 ISBN Description Quite detailed information on more than 60 species of Caribbean timber trees, giving species descriptions, habitat, detailed info on the wood and some info on other uses. Available for download on the internet. ]. The tree is used in soil conservation projects to protect watersheds, as a shade tree in coffee plantations and is also often grown as an ornamental and amenity shade tree in parks and large gardens[ 200 Title The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. Publication Author Huxley. A. Publisher MacMillan Press Year 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5 Description Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed. , 303 Title World Agroforesty Centre Publication Author Website http://www.worldagroforestry.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc. ]. Andira inermis has a wide range and a large population. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2017)[ 338 Title IUCN Red List of Threatened Species Publication Author Website http://www.iucnredlist.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat. ].

Habitat & Origin

Origintropical
Native RangeTropical Africa - Sierra Leone to Uganda; S. America - Brazil, Bolivia and Peru, north through C. America to Mexico; Caribbean - Trinidad to Cuba.
HabitatA wide range of habitats from evergreen tropical rain forest to dry savannah vegetation. Common in riparian zones and in areas with a high water table. It is found along roadsides, riverbanks, woodlands and pastures, from sea level to 900 metres[ 303 Title World Agroforesty Centre Publication Author Website http://www.worldagroforestry.org/ Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc. ].