Scientific determination and wood anatomical features of species know in Brazilian Amazonia as matá-matá (Eschweilera spp.)

Abstract

Despite the large diversity, logging on Brazilian Amazon is restricted to a small number of species. On relating the local biodiversity to the density, region of occurrence and logging of traditional species, we verified the increment of their shortage. One way to minimize this problem is by introducing new species in the market. Based on these considerations, we sought to identify in the field, woods known as matá-matá (Eschweilera Mart. Ex DC. – Lecythidaceae) of high frequency in the Brazilian Amazon. For this, eleven trees were collected for scientific identification, and for anatomical, physical and chemical analyses. During the identification, we verified the presence of six species (Eschweilera amazonica, Eschweilera coriacea, Eschweilera grandiflora, Eschweilera idatimon, Eschweilera ovata and Eschweilera sp.) which may be identified in the forest by their rytidomes and live bark characteristics. By organoleptic properties, we grouped the woods into three groups with distinct colours, which permitted the identification of two species by their characteristics of taste and smell. Macroscopically, all woods seemed similar, while microscopically, the species presented few differences which made their partial separation possible.