LAPACHO(Handroanthus impetiginosus)

Handroanthus impetiginosus commonly known as pink lapacho is a tree belonging to the Bignoniaceae family native to Central and South America where it has a wide range of distribution. Its wood is one of the most demanded and valued in the forestry market. It is appreciated for its beauty quality and durability in the open air. It is widely used in urban trees landscaping and restoration programs of degraded areas. Its bark is used in medicinal products. It has anti-inflammatory antimicrobial diuretic and anticancer properties and the leaves have been used as external astringents and antiseptic agents. However a limiting factor in the use of native species is that they are not domesticated so little information is available about them. Our results generate added value to a native and emblematic forest species of the Selva Pedemontana de las Yungas taking into consideration that although research on natural products generally pursues a medicinal or food purpose it is convenient to dedicate efforts also to their ecological value.