About Cavanillesia platanifolia (Humb. & Bonpl.) Kunth
Cavanillesia platanifolia is a flowering plant species in the family Malvaceae. It has several common names: pijio, bongo, pretino, petrino, cuipo, hameli or hamelí in Spanish, and also macondo. This species grows in lowland rainforests located in Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. It is a tree that reaches a height of 45 to 60 metres (148 to 197 feet). It produces leaves only near the top of its trunk for just one month each year. Its reddish-gray bark features distinct characteristic rings that run along the entire length of the trunk. Its roots are orangish-brown. A cut and cleaned root fragment, when kept horizontal, can be tipped to pour drinkable water that tastes like potatoes. Rope can be produced from the inner bark of this species’ branches and saplings. Along with balsa wood, the wood of Cavanillesia platanifolia is extremely soft; it ranks as one of the softest woods according to the Janka hardness test, and may have commercial applications.
