Chlorocardium rodiei aka Greenheart Tree

Chlorocardium rodiei is an evergreen tree in the laurel family, Lauraceae. Its common names include greenheart and Demerara greenheart. Kew lists its native range as Guyana and Suriname. Other sources also report it from French Guiana. It grows in wet tropical forests at low elevations. It can dominate narrow belts of rainforest on brown sand. Trees also grow on slopes above streams and nearby damp ground.

Greenheart reaches about 98 feet (30 metres) in height. Exceptional forest trees reach 131 feet (40 metres). PFAF gives a spread of 66 feet (20 metres). The crown can be oval, cone-shaped, or open and uneven. The trunk may swell at its base or form low buttresses. Its diameter is often 1.3–2 feet (0.4–0.6 metres). Rare trunks reach about 3.3 feet (1 metre) across. A straight trunk can remain branch-free for 49–72 feet (15–22 metres). The leaves grow in an alternate pattern and have smooth edges. The fruit is a drupe with one seed.

This tree suits moist, lowland tropical conditions rather than cold gardens. PFAF lists USDA hardiness zones 10–12 and a medium growth rate. It needs sun and moist soil with good drainage. Light, sandy soil gives the best growth. PFAF also lists loam and clay as suitable soil types. It accepts mildly acid, neutral, and mildly alkaline soils. Growers raise new plants from seed. These sources give no details on flower colour or bloom season.

Greenheart has a long history as a timber tree. People harvest wild trees for local use and export. Its hard, strong wood resists decay in seawater and soil. It also resists termites and marine borers. Uses include heavy building work, ships, planks, and fishing rods. The heartwood ranges from olive green to almost black. Freshly cut wood has a strong scent that fades when dry. Heavy logging and slow regeneration have raised concerns about its future. The Ferns reports a Data Deficient assessment from 2006.

Neither PFAF nor The Ferns lists any known edible use. Both report no known hazards, but this does not prove safety. Traditional remedies use bark, crushed wood, fruit, or seeds. Reported uses include treating fever and diarrhoea with boiled extracts. These records describe folk uses rather than proven treatments.