Important Trees of Haiti

5 Fwenn
Species: Simarouba glauca DC. var. latifolia Cronq.
Family: Simaroubaceae
Synonyms: Simarouba medicinalis Endl., S. officinalis Macfad., S. officinalis DC.
Common names: H - bois frene (bwafwenn), bois blanc (bwa blan), d'olive (doliv),
frene ifwenn); RD - daguilla, daguillo, juan primero, laguilla, olivio, palo amargo; C ­
gavihin; J - bitter damson; G/M - acajou blanc; US - simarouba, princess tree; F - bois
amer, quinquina d'Europe.
Species: Simarouba berteroana Krug. and Urban
Family: Simaroubaceae
Common names: H - bois frene (bwa fwenn), frene ifwenn), frene etranger ifwenn
etranje); RD - aceituna, daguilla, juan primero, olivio.
Importance: S. glauca is one ofthe major sources offast-growing, medium-grade lumber
in Haiti. It is well adapted to the agricultural landscape, regenerating naturally
beneath mango and other mature trees. The fast, straight growth and wide adaptability
on shallow soils of Haiti's mountains combine to make this tree an attractive choice for
agroforestry. The seed kernel is underutilized and has potential for supplying Haitains
with a source of oil.
Taxonomy and Botanical Features: There are 6 species of Simarouba in tropical
America, two of which are native to Haiti (Liogier, 1985). The common S. glauca var.
latifolia is easily distinguished from the less common S. berteroana by the leaves. Those
of the former are dark, shiny green above, oblong, and often notched or smooth at the
apex. S. berteroana leaves are a lighter dull green, lanceolate and have a prominent beak
at the apex (Fig. 5.3 inset). A third Simarouba species, planted during the 1950s and
1960s in the vicinity of Lake Peligre, probably was introduced from abroad. Locally
known as doliv, it is distinguished from S. glauca by a smaller bivalved seed and young
growth that is light green rather than reddish. It appears to have a shorter bole and a
heavier crown.
Fwenn is the Creole name derived from the French word for ash (Fraxinus:
Oleaceae). Bwa blan is heard more often in the northern part ofHaiti, whereas fwenn is
used for the species in the south. Where S. glauca co-exists with S. berteroana, the latter
sometimes is referred to as fwenn etranje (foreign ash), though both are native to
Haiti. The specimen identified as S. glauca (Ekman 3036), collected in 1925 by Dr.
Ekman near Ganthier, is S. berteroana, as described by Liogier (1985).
Distribution and Ecology: S. glauca is a common native of the Greater Antilles,
Florida, Mexico and Central America. It is found mostly in Haiti as an associated
species ofthe subtropical moist forest (sensu Holdridge, 1976), occurring from sea level
to about 800 m. It shares the overstory position with the other common trees of the
home and humid perennial gardens: mango (Mangifera indica), royal palm (Roystonea
borinquena), avocado (Persea americana), plantain (Musa xparidisiaca) and as shade
for coffee (Fig. 5.2). The species is found on the rocky, shallow calcareous soils of
mountain slopes and ridges as well as on the deeper soils of the ravines and alluvial
plains.
39