West Indies, Central America, and northern South America, also occurs in tropical West Africa. The trees are most abundant and reach their best development in swamp and marsh areas.
Stems develop stiltroots with numerous elbow buttresses.
Forest Products Laboratory toughness average for green and dry material is 157 in.-lb. The wood is rated as resistant to impregnation. The bark contains a yellowish resin that medicinal, used to caulk boats, and as a substitute for shoemaker's pitch. 282-3Logs are delivered to a sawmill in southern Nigeria. Export of logs fro this region, as well as from most other tropical areas, is being restricted.