| Copaifera | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Copaifera officinalis | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Subfamily: | Detarioideae |
| Tribe: | Detarieae |
| Genus: | Copaifera L. (1762) |
| Species[1] | |
40 see text | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Copaifera is agenus of tropical plants in the legume familyFabaceae.[2] It includes 40 species native to the tropical Americas (Nicaragua to northeastern Argentina), west and central tropical Africa, and Borneo.[1]
The scientific name means "copal-bearer" (or more accurately,copaiba-bearer), since economically importantresins andessential oils can be acquired from them. They are also important for production ofbiodiesel and wood, especiallyCopaifera langsdorffii. Other species are threatened, mainly bydeforestation.
Oil extracts from the genus are of particular interest as a source ofantimycobacterial agents.[3]
40 species are accepted:[1]
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