Origin
Tropical America.

Occurrence
The tree has an ample distribution in Venezuela, growing from 400 m a.s.l. up to 2000 m, particularly in the coastal range (Cordillera de la Costa). In America it is found from Florida to the north of South America, including the Westindies (Venezuela, Ecuador, Colombia, Panama).

Ethnobotanical and general use

Economical utilization
The tree is used as an ornamental plant in parks, gardens and as an alley tree. It may also be used for afforestation of slopes with a poor soil. Together with spines of other plants sombreros are plaited of the leaves of Clusia, which the golddiggers in Choc6 put on. The wood is of reddish colour, strong and heavy, but it is only used as a combustible. The aromatic flowers can be used industrially in perfumery.

Medical use
Name of the drug: Clusia major L. cortex, fructus. Besides the stem and twigs and the fruits, the leaves are also used in popular medicine. Leaf The infusion of the leaves is applied for pectoral diseases. Stem. The cortex of the stem is astringent. The resin extracted from stem and fruit is applied as a purgative and to cure wounds. The resin of stem and fruit is also used to cure luxations and bone fractures. The latex particularly is the healing component. The latex of Clusia rosea is used in Trinidad as a cataplasm to combat aches. Fruit. A decoction of the fruits is applied for rheumatism. The fruit (resin) is applied as a vulnerary and purgative, as is the cortex. The oleoresin of this plant is a good vulnerary applied to burns. Mixed with liqueur of cucuy (agave) the oleoresin is applied for frictions of dislocated articulations.

Healing properties
Vulnerary, emollient, antispasmodic, antirheumatic, antineuralgic.

Chemical contents
The oleoresin of the stem contains triterpenoids, eteric oil, pectine and starch.

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Whole plant: Latex is bitter, balsamic, purgative.

Flower: Bechic.

1) South American medicinal plants : botany, remedial properties, and general use / I. Roth, H. Lindorf. Berlin ; New York : Springer, c2002. -- p. 492.

2) Robertt, A., et al.. Medicinal Plants of the Guianas (Guyana, Suriname, French Guyana)/Smithsonian NMNH. cited online: 17-08-2017.