''Brosimum'' is a

genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms as well as viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus comes above species and below family. In binomial nom ...

of plants in the

family Family (from la, familia) is a group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its members and of society. Idea ...

Moraceae The Moraceae — often called the mulberry family or fig family — are a family of flowering plants comprising about 38 genera and over 1100 species. Most are widespread in tropical and subtropical regions, less so in temperate climates; however ...

, native to

tropical The tropics are the regions of Earth surrounding the Equator. They are defined in latitude by the Tropic of Cancer in the Northern Hemisphere at N and the Tropic of Capricorn in the Southern Hemisphere at S. The tropics are also referred to ...

regions of the

Americas The Americas, which are sometimes collectively called America, are a landmass comprising the totality of North and South America. The Americas make up most of the land in Earth's Western Hemisphere and comprise the New World. Along with th ...

. The breadnut ('' B. alicastrum'') was used by the

Maya civilization The Maya civilization () of the Mesoamerican people is known by its ancient temples and glyphs. Its Maya script is the most sophisticated and highly developed writing system in the pre-Columbian Americas. It is also noted for its art, a ...

for its edible nut. The dense vividly colored scarlet wood of '' B. paraense'' is used for decorative woodworking.Baker (2004) '' B. guianense'', or

snakewood Snakewood is a common name of several different plants: * '' Acacia'' species (family Fabaceae) in Australia, '' Acacia eremaea'', '' Acacia intorta'', ''Acacia xiphophylla' * ''Brosimum guianense'' (= ''Piratinera guianensis'') (family Moraceae) ...

, has a mottled snake-skin pattern, and is among the densest woods, with a very high stiffness; it was the wood of choice for making of bows for musical instruments of the

violin family The violin family of musical instruments was developed in Italy in the 16th century. At the time the name of this family of instruments was viole da braccio which was used to distinguish them from the viol family (viole ''da gamba''). The stand ...

until the late 18th century, when it was replaced by the more easily worked brazilwood ('' Paubrasilia echinata''). Plants of this genus are otherwise used for

timber Lumber is wood that has been processed into dimensional lumber, including beams and planks or boards, a stage in the process of wood production. Lumber is mainly used for construction framing, as well as finishing (floors, wall panels, w ...

, building materials, and in a cultural context.

Accepted species

* '' Brosimum acutifolium''—''tamamuri'' * '' Brosimum alicastrum'' Sw.—breadnut, Maya nut, ''ramón'' (

Spanish Spanish might refer to: * Items from or related to Spain: **Spaniards are a nation and ethnic group indigenous to Spain **Spanish language, spoken in Spain and many Latin American countries **Spanish cuisine Other places * Spanish, Ontario, Can ...

) * '' Brosimum costaricanum'' Liebm. * '' Brosimum gaudichaudii'' Trecul— Mama-cadela * '' Brosimum glaucum'' Taub. * '' Brosimum glaziovii'' Taub. * ''

Brosimum guianense ''Brosimum guianense'', called snakewood, letterwood, leopardwood, and amourette, is a species of flowering plant in the genus '' Brosimum'', native to southern Mexico, Central America, Trinidad, and tropical South America. A tree reaching , its ...

'' (Aubl.) Huber—"

" (= ''B. aubletii'') * '' Brosimum lactescens'' (S.Moore) C.C.Berg * '' Brosimum longifolium'' Ducke * '' Brosimum melanopotamicum'' C.C.Berg * '' Brosimum multinervium'' C.C.Berg * '' Brosimum parinarioides'' Ducke ** ''Brosimum parinarioides'' ssp. ''amplicoma'' (Ducke) C.C.Berg (= ''B. amplicoma'') ** ''Brosimum parinarioides'' ssp. ''parinarioides'' * '' Brosimum potabile'' * '' Brosimum rubescens'' Taub.— Satine bloodwood * '' Brosimum utile'' (Kunth) Pittier (= ''B. galactodendron'')

Formerly placed here

* '' Pseudolmedia spuria'' (Sw.) Griseb. (as ''B. spurium'' Sw.)

Footnotes

References

* (2004): ''Wood for Woodturners''. Guild of Master Craftsmen Publications, Sussex. Moraceae genera {{Moraceae genera