Occurs in Cuba and ranges from southern Mexico through Central America to Colombia and Venezuela. Degame may occur in pure stands and is common on shaded hillsides and along waterways. A small to medium-sized tree usually 40 to 50 ft high but may reach heights of 90 ft and diameters to 30 in. Boles usually straight and free of branches for half the total tree height.
Heartwood ranges from light brown to oatmeal color and is sometimes grayish.
Sapwood is lighter in color and merges gradually with the heartwood. The wood is generally regarded as lacking appreciable resistance to attack by decay fungi. Reported to be highly resistant to marine borers. No information available. Suitable for tool handles and turnery and is used for shuttles and picker sticks and other textile manufacturing items.