Nectandra Leucantha

The greenheart, or bibiru tree of British

Guiana, furnishing bibiru bark, which is used medicinally as a

tonic and febrifuge, its properties being due to the presence of

an uncrystallizable alkaloid, also found in the seeds. The seeds

are also remarkable for containing upwards of 50 per cent of

starch, which is made into a kind of bread by the natives. The

timber of this tree is extensively employed in shipbuilding, its

great strength and durability rendering it peculiarly well suited

for this purpose.