Scientific name: Copaifera guyanensis
Vern: copaiba (En); copaíba (BrP)
Local: hoepelhout (Sr); copaiba (GU); copahu (FG)
Indig: mapataru (Tr)
Growth Form: Trees & shrubs
Order: Fabales
Family: Leguminosae/Fabaceae (Caesalpinioideae)
A prominent canopy tree famously known as the “diesel tree” or “kerosene tree” due to the volatile, clear oleoresin that accumulates in large reservoirs within its trunk. It is a cornerstone species of the primary terra-firme and gallery forests across the Guiana Shield and northern Amazonia.
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Traditional Medicine: Tapped sustainably by boring a small hole into the heartwood, the crude resin flows freely. Across the Guianas, it is highly valued as an exceptional topical anti-inflammatory, antiseptic for wound healing, treatment for dermatological conditions, and an internal remedy for respiratory ailments.
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Industrial / Phytochemical Use: Rich in sesquiterpenes, the oil is heavily utilized globally in the cosmetic industry, as a fixative in perfumes, and has been extensively researched as a potential direct-use biofuel due to its low viscosity and high purity.
Meanings of common names
hoepelhout – historically referencing the flexible young wood used to make barrel hoops
copahu – derived from the indigenous Galibi terminology documented by early French botanists