What is "chlorocardium"

Chlorocardium is a genus of the family Lauraceae. It contains only two species, C. rodiei and C. venenosum, and is native to northern South America. The name Chlorocardium means green (chloro-) heart (cardia), referring to the wood.

They are trees up to 40 m high, mostly 30 m high,and are hermaphrodites. They are slow-growing canopy evergreen trees and have a valuable timber. The wood and bark are pleasantly scented. They are present in Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, and the Guiana Shield (in northeastern Brazil, Venezuela ( Amazonas, Bolívar and Delta Amacuro states), Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana).

The species are heavily used by the timber industry. This causes a shortage of mature trees. Their timber is of great commercial value and much exploited, but C. rodiei is able to produce sprouts from more than 50% of stumps.