Curatella

This article is about the species of tree. For the surname, see Curatella (surname).

Curatella americana, commonly known as the wild cashew tree,^[3] sambaı́ba,^[3] and the sandpaper tree,^[4] is a species of tree in the family Dilleniaceae. It is the sole accepted species in genus Curatella.^[2]

Curatella
Curatella americana in the Cerrado of Brazil.
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Order:	Dilleniales
Family:	Dilleniaceae
Genus:	Curatella L. 1759
Species:	C. americana
Binomial name
Curatella americana L. 1759
Synonyms[2]
Curatella cambaiba A.St.-Hil. 1825 Curatella glabra Spruce ex Benth. 1861 Curatella grisebachiana Eichler 1863

Description

Curatella americana is a semi-deciduous tree with a dense, rounded crown. It typically grows 6 to 10 meters (20 to 33 ft) tall. The trunk is short, thick, and usually crooked, up to 40–50 centimeters (16–20 in) in diameter.^[4]

Range

Curatella americana ranges through the tropical Americas, including northern South America (Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, and the Guyanas), Central America from Panama to Mexico, and the western Caribbean.^[4]

Habitat

Curatella americana is generally found in savanna and dry forest habitats. In Guatemala, it is found on dry open or brushy hillsides below 1,200 meters (3,900 ft) elevation, or growing among pines.^[4]

Human uses

Parts of the plant, including its edible fruits and seeds, are a local source of food, traditional medicines, and other commodities. It is generally harvested from the wild, although it is sometimes planted for its fruits and seeds. It is widely grown as an ornamental plant in Central America.^[4]