''Copaifera'' 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 n ...

of tropical plants in the legume family Fabaceae. The scientific name means "

copal Copal is tree resin, particularly the aromatic resins from the copal tree '' Protium copal'' ( Burseraceae) used by the cultures of pre-Columbian Mesoamerica as ceremonially burned incense and for other purposes. More generally, copal include ...

-bearer" (or more accurately, ''

copaiba Copaiba is a stimulant oleoresin obtained from the trunk of several pinnate-leaved South American leguminous trees (genus ''Copaifera''). The thick, transparent exudate varies in color from light gold to dark brown, depending on the ratio of res ...

''-bearer), since economically important

resin In polymer chemistry and materials science, resin is a solid or highly viscous substance of plant or synthetic origin that is typically convertible into polymers. Resins are usually mixtures of organic compounds. This article focuses on n ...

s and essential oils can be acquired from them. They are also important for production of

biodiesel Biodiesel is a form of diesel fuel derived from plants or animals and consisting of long-chain fatty acid esters. It is typically made by chemically reacting lipids such as animal fat ( tallow), soybean oil, or some other vegetable oil ...

and wood, especially '' Copaifera langsdorffii''. Other species are threatened, mainly by

deforestation Deforestation or forest clearance is the removal of a forest or stand of trees from land that is then land conversion, converted to non-forest use. Deforestation can involve conversion of forest land to farms, ranches, or urban area, urban ...

. Oil extracts from the genus are of particular interest as a source of

antimycobacterial An antimycobacterial is a type of medication used to treat Mycobacteria infections. Types include: * Tuberculosis treatments * Leprostatic agent A leprostatic agent is a drug that interferes with proliferation of the bacterium that causes leprosy. ...

agents.

Notable species

*''

Copaifera epunctata ''Copaifera epunctata'' is a species of flowering plant in the pea family, Fabaceae, that is endemic to Suriname Suriname (; srn, Sranankondre or ), officially the Republic of Suriname ( nl, Republiek Suriname , srn, Ripolik fu Sranan) ...

'' *''

Copaifera guyanensis ''Copaifera'' is a genus of tropical plants in the legume family Fabaceae. The scientific name means "copal-bearer" (or more accurately, ''copaiba''-bearer), since economically important resins and essential oils can be acquired from them. They ...

'' *'' Copaifera langsdorffii'' – Diesel tree, kerosene tree, kupa'y, cabismo, copaúva *'' Copaifera martii'' *'' Copaifera multijuga'' *'' Copaifera officinalis'' *'' Copaifera panamensis'' – Cabimo *'' Copaifera reticulata'' *'' Copaifera salikounda'' *'' Copaifera trapezifolia'' *'' Copaifera cearensis'' *'' Copaifera jacquinii'' *'' Copaifera coriacea''

References

Fabaceae genera Taxonomy articles created by Polbot {{Detarioideae-stub

Notable species

See also

References