''Copaifera'' is a

genus Genus ( plural genera ) is a taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of extant taxon, living and fossil organisms as well as Virus classification#ICTV classification, viruses. In the hierarchy of biological classification, genus com ...

of tropical plants in the legume family

Fabaceae The Fabaceae or Leguminosae,International Code of Nomenc ...

. 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 includes re ...

-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 resi ...

''-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 natu ...

s and

essential oil An essential oil is a concentrated hydrophobic liquid containing volatile (easily evaporated at normal temperatures) chemical compounds from plants. Essential oils are also known as volatile oils, ethereal oils, aetheroleum, or simply as the o ...

s 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 with ...

and wood, especially ''

Copaifera langsdorffii ''Copaifera langsdorffii'', also known as the diesel tree, is a tropical rainforest tree. It has many names in local languages, including kupa'y, cabismo, and copaúva. Biological description ''Copaifera langsdorffii'' is a medium-sized to larg ...

''. 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 converted to non-forest use. Deforestation can involve conversion of forest land to farms, ranches, or urban use. The most concentrated d ...

. 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 treatment Tuberculosis management describes the techniques and procedures utilized for treating tuberculosis (TB). The medical st ...

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'' *''

'' – Diesel tree, kerosene tree, kupa'y, cabismo, copaúva *''

Copaifera martii ''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 multijuga ''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 officinalis ''Copaifera officinalis'', the copaiba balsam, is a species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae, native to Bolivia, Brazil, and Venezuela. It has been introduced to Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago, Sierra Leone, India, and ...

'' *''

Copaifera panamensis ''Copaifera panamensis'', commonly known as the Cabimo is a species of flowering plant in the pea family, Fabaceae, that is endemic to Panama. It is threatened by habitat loss Habitat destruction (also termed habitat loss and habitat reduct ...

'' – Cabimo *''

Copaifera reticulata ''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 salikounda ''Copaifera salikounda'' is a species of legume in the family Fabaceae. It is found in Ivory Coast, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone. It is threatened by habitat loss. Copafera is an alternative spelling that was adopted by American guit ...

'' *''

Copaifera trapezifolia ''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 cearensis ''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 jacquinii ''Copaifera officinalis'', the copaiba balsam, is a species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae, native to Bolivia, Brazil, and Venezuela. It has been introduced to Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Trinidad and Tobago, Sierra Leone, India, and ...

'' *''

Copaifera coriacea ''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 ...

References

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

Notable species

See also

References