Aspidosperma quebracho-blanco

Quebracho blanco
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
(unranked):	Angiosperms
(unranked):	Eudicots
(unranked):	Asterids
Order:	Gentianales
Family:	Apocynaceae
Genus:	Aspidosperma
Species:	A. quebracho-blanco
Binomial name
Aspidosperma quebracho-blanco Schltr.

Quebracho blanco (syn. Macaglia quebracho-blanco (Schltdl.) A.Lyons) is a South American tree species, which is found in the northern regions of Argentina. It must not be confused with other species also known as quebracho, but belonging to the genus Schinopsis.

Aspidosperma quebracho-blanco

Quebracho blanco wood is uniformly yellow-ochre, without differences between hardwood and sapwood. It is quite heavy (relative density = 0.885 g/cm³) and hard, and responds well to bending and shock. Upon drying it tends to collapse, producing deformations and cracks, so the drying process is slow; the wood must be treated with fungicides. It is easy to work and has many uses in carpentry (carts, wheels, floors, shoes, tool handles, furniture); it is also good for chess pieces, skis, etc. Preserved with creosote it can be used outdoors. In some places it is widely used as coal, since it does not produce sparks or large amounts of ash, and it burns strong and slowly.

Medicinal uses

Quebracho blanco contains small amounts of the phytochemical yohimbine and is known to be an aphrodisiac, is used to treat erectile dysfunction and acts as a mild antidepressant.

References

• Libro del Árbol, Tome II, edited by Celulosa Argentina S. A., Buenos Aires, Argentina, October 1975.