Distribution and Habitat 
Two closely related species of Hura occur as large trees from the "'est Indies 
and southern Mexico to northern Brazil. The Mexican species ( H. polyandra 
Braill.) differs little from the more widely distributed Hura wood ( H.' crepitans 
L.) (1Z)«~ The best growth is reported to be on the low narrow reefs of the 
coastal plain near Paramaribo, Surinam, where nearly pure stands, yielding 
6,000 to 100,000 board feet per acre and averaging 2^,000 board feet per acre 
ever an area of 20,000 acres, are found. 
In Colombia, it is common along the tributaries of the Magdalene River, 
especially in the region about El Banco. In Venezuela, it is found along the 
banks of streams and in the moist valleys of the coast range and is cut along 
the shores of Lake Maracaibo. 
The Tree 
The trees growing in the open may have relatively short, thick trunks, but in 
the forest they may attain heights of 90 to 130 feet or even as high as 200 
feet. The forest trees have straight, fairly regular trunks often free of 
branches for from 1+0 to 100 feet and commonly 3 to 5 feet or sometimes 6 to 9 
feet in diameter above the rather small buttresses. 
These trees often have sharp spines on branches and trunk. They are reported 
to be associated with workmen' s poisoning. The trees are extensively cultivated 
for shade and decorative purposes in the tropics of both hemispheres. 
Bark 
The bark is thick and rather smooth except near the base of the tree where it is 
covered with the short conical spines mentioned (11). It contains a caustic 
latex that spatters when a tree is cut* This latex is irritating to the eyes 
and skin and is poisonous if taken internally. It is sometimes used for 
stupifying fish (18) and also has been used as a remedy for elephantiasis and 
leprosy. 
Leaves 
The leaves resemble those of cottonwood. 
Flowers and Fruit 
The flowers are dark red and borne in the form of a cone. 
The structure of the stamens is used in distinquishing species. 
The fruits resemble little pumpkins (sandbox) and explode on drying, scattering 
wafer-like seeds which contain 5>0 percent of oil and are used to poison animals. 
2 
Underlined numbers in parentheses refer to the list of numbered references at 
the end of the article. 
Rept. Ho. R1902 -2- 
