428
known for their multipurpose applications, although their importance and uses vary
according to the areas or regions from which they come from.
The genus Cordia (Boraginaceae) comprises 300 species of pantropical distribution, with centers of diversity in America and Africa. Four species of this genus are
distributed in Argentina, out of which two are common to the NE and NW regions
of the country. These species, Cordia americana and C. trichotoma, are of great
value in forestry, as they provide quality timber, for which they are called noble species. Cordia trichotoma is a species with disjunct distribution (Fig. 16.1) that
appears in both Argentinean rainforests. In the Alto Paraná Rainforest, it forms continuous forests occupying clearings produced mainly by anthropic disturbances, and
it is known as “Peteribí” or “Loro negro.” In the Yungas Rainforest, it is locally
called “Afata” and forms monospecific forests in the first stages of ecological succession, but it is also found in the mixed mature forest stratum. Cordia species are
pioneer trees but also show shade tolerance (Campanello et al. 2008, 2011; Montti
et al. 2014), which would favor their consociation with other species in agroforestry
systems (Fornes et al. 2016).
The related genera Handroanthus and Tabebuia (Bignoniaceae) are present in
both Argentinean subtropical rainforests. Among the various species that exist of
these genera in Argentina, the most important from a forestry point of view is
H. impetiginosus, which is distributed in the North West of Argentina (NWA),
across a narrow strip along the piedmont, slopes, and low mountains of the Yungas
(Fig. 16.1), occupying an altitudinal range between 300 and 1300 m asl (Zapater
et al. 2005; Lozano and Zapater 2008). It is well-known for its high valuable wood
in the domestic market, together with that of Cedrela spp. and Myroxylon peruiferum (Eliano et al. 2009). Its wood is much appreciated for making floors, opening
frames, and furniture, especially those coming from the northern region of the
Yungas. The wood resistance makes it suitable for outdoor use as decks and garden
furniture. This species is also highly appreciated for urban forestry and landscaping
as it offers stunning flowering in different pinkish shades (Tortorelli 2009). In addition, the phenolic compound “lapachol” obtained from its bark has medicinal use,
including a potential cancer treatment (Hussain and Green 2017).
Anadenanthera colubrina var. cebil is a pioneer leguminous species, widely distributed in subtropical forests and transition areas of South America. It grows on
rocky hillsides in well-drained soils, often in the riverside. The geographic distribution comprises tropical and temperate countries from South America, including
T. Ledesma · E. Balducci
INTA EECT Yuto, Jujuy, Argentina
C. Tarnowski
INTA EEA La Consulta, San Carlos, Mendoza, Argentina
G. Galíndez
Universidad Nac. de Salta – CONICET, Salta, Argentina
A. Trápani
Fac. de Agronomía y Zootecnia, Universidad Nac. de Tucumán,
Tucumán, Argentina
L. F. Fornes et al.
known for their multipurpose applications, although their importance and uses vary
according to the areas or regions from which they come from.
The genus Cordia (Boraginaceae) comprises 300 species of pantropical distribution, with centers of diversity in America and Africa. Four species of this genus are
distributed in Argentina, out of which two are common to the NE and NW regions
of the country. These species, Cordia americana and C. trichotoma, are of great
value in forestry, as they provide quality timber, for which they are called noble species. Cordia trichotoma is a species with disjunct distribution (Fig. 16.1) that
appears in both Argentinean rainforests. In the Alto Paraná Rainforest, it forms continuous forests occupying clearings produced mainly by anthropic disturbances, and
it is known as “Peteribí” or “Loro negro.” In the Yungas Rainforest, it is locally
called “Afata” and forms monospecific forests in the first stages of ecological succession, but it is also found in the mixed mature forest stratum. Cordia species are
pioneer trees but also show shade tolerance (Campanello et al. 2008, 2011; Montti
et al. 2014), which would favor their consociation with other species in agroforestry
systems (Fornes et al. 2016).
The related genera Handroanthus and Tabebuia (Bignoniaceae) are present in
both Argentinean subtropical rainforests. Among the various species that exist of
these genera in Argentina, the most important from a forestry point of view is
H. impetiginosus, which is distributed in the North West of Argentina (NWA),
across a narrow strip along the piedmont, slopes, and low mountains of the Yungas
(Fig. 16.1), occupying an altitudinal range between 300 and 1300 m asl (Zapater
et al. 2005; Lozano and Zapater 2008). It is well-known for its high valuable wood
in the domestic market, together with that of Cedrela spp. and Myroxylon peruiferum (Eliano et al. 2009). Its wood is much appreciated for making floors, opening
frames, and furniture, especially those coming from the northern region of the
Yungas. The wood resistance makes it suitable for outdoor use as decks and garden
furniture. This species is also highly appreciated for urban forestry and landscaping
as it offers stunning flowering in different pinkish shades (Tortorelli 2009). In addition, the phenolic compound “lapachol” obtained from its bark has medicinal use,
including a potential cancer treatment (Hussain and Green 2017).
Anadenanthera colubrina var. cebil is a pioneer leguminous species, widely distributed in subtropical forests and transition areas of South America. It grows on
rocky hillsides in well-drained soils, often in the riverside. The geographic distribution comprises tropical and temperate countries from South America, including
T. Ledesma · E. Balducci
INTA EECT Yuto, Jujuy, Argentina
C. Tarnowski
INTA EEA La Consulta, San Carlos, Mendoza, Argentina
G. Galíndez
Universidad Nac. de Salta – CONICET, Salta, Argentina
A. Trápani
Fac. de Agronomía y Zootecnia, Universidad Nac. de Tucumán,
Tucumán, Argentina
L. F. Fornes et al.