Angelim
Mongabay
https://news.mongabay.com/2024/06/experts-aim-to-protect-one-of-brazils-giant-emblematic-tree-species/
Angelim (Dinizia excelsa) is a species of tree in the legume family (Fabaceae). Known as the tallest tree in the Amazon, Angelims can grow up to 290 feet (Gonzalez, 2019). They primarily grow in the northern Amazon in Guyana, Suriname, and the Brazilian states of Amapá, Amazonas, and Roraima. However, they are also found in the southern Amazon in the states of Mato Grosso, Pará, Rondônia, and Tocantins (Ducke, 1922).
Ecologically, Angelim plays a crucial role in the Amazon rainforest. As the largest tree in the region, it helps prevent erosion, sequesters significant amounts of carbon, and provides extensive habitats for epiphytes (plants that live on other plants), woody vines, and various animals. Additionally, being a member of the legume family, Angelim has nitrogen-fixing bacteria in its roots, which enriches the soil with nitrogen.
Angelim is also economically valuable and is logged for its wood, which is used for various purposes (The Wood Database, 2024). Its impressive size and role in nitrogen fixation make Angelim one of the most important species in the Amazon.
References
Gonzales, Jenny (November 11, 2019) LIDAR Technology Leads Brazilian Team to 30 Story Tall Amazon Tree Mongabay
Dinizia excelsa Ducke, 1922 GBIF Global Biodiversity Information Faciltiy
https://www.gbif.org/species/139328607
Angelim Vermelho (2024) The Wood Database