Burseraceae FAMILY

Protium copal

Edibility

1/5

Medicinal

2/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Botanical Description

Copal is a medium to large tree with a thick bole; it can grow up to 30 metres tall, but more commonly to 20 metres[ 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/ , 875 Title The Red List of Mexican Cloud Forest Trees Publication Author Editors González-Espinosa M., et al. Website http://www.globaltrees.org Publisher Fauna and Flora International; Cambridge, UK. Year 2011 ISBN Description Available to download from the Internet in PDF format, this publication gives some basic information on the trees of the Mexican Cloud Forests, focussing on their conservation status, but also with a description, habitat, some uses etc. ]. The tree is commonly harvested from the wild, especially in Guatemala, for its resin which is much used as an incense. In past times the tree was cultivated for this resin, though nowadays it is only harvested from the wild. The resin is commonly sold in local markets[ 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/ , 875 Title The Red List of Mexican Cloud Forest Trees Publication Author Editors González-Espinosa M., et al. Website http://www.globaltrees.org Publisher Fauna and Flora International; Cambridge, UK. Year 2011 ISBN Description Available to download from the Internet in PDF format, this publication gives some basic information on the trees of the Mexican Cloud Forests, focussing on their conservation status, but also with a description, habitat, some uses etc. ].

Habitat & Origin

Origintropical

Native RangeCentral America - Honduras, Belize, Guatemala and Mexico.

HabitatMoist or wet forest, chiefly at elevations of 350 metres or less[ 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/ ]. Mainly found in tropical rainforest and tropical evergreen forest; less frequently in tropical dry forest and cloud forest. Its preferred habitat is primary forest[ 875 Title The Red List of Mexican Cloud Forest Trees Publication Author Editors González-Espinosa M., et al. Website http://www.globaltrees.org Publisher Fauna and Flora International; Cambridge, UK. Year 2011 ISBN Description Available to download from the Internet in PDF format, this publication gives some basic information on the trees of the Mexican Cloud Forests, focussing on their conservation status, but also with a description, habitat, some uses etc. ].