Ocotea porosa
Ocotea porosa, commonly called imbuia or Brazilian walnut, is a species of plant in the Lauraceae family. Its wood is very hard, and it is a major commercial timber species in Brazil.
Taxonomy and naming
It is often placed in the related genus, Phoebe. It is commonly called imbuia, and is also known as Brazilian walnut, because its wood resembles that of some walnuts.Portuguese common names include embuia, embúia, embuya, imbuia, imbúia, imbuya, canela-imbuia.
Habitat
The tree grows naturally in the subtropical montane Araucaria forests of southern Brazil, mostly in the states of Paraná and Santa Catarina, and in smaller numbers in São Paulo and Rio Grande do Sul. The species may also occur in adjacent Argentina and/or Paraguay.In its native habitat it is a threatened species.
Description
The trees typically reach in height and in trunk diameter.The wood is very hard, measuring 3,684 lbf on the Janka scale. The wood is also fragrant with hints of nutmeg and cinnamon.