It is a large, fast-growing tree growing up to 50 m tall with a trunk up to 1.3 m diameter, often buttressed at the base up to 2 m diameter, with rough, silvery-grey to reddish-grey bark. It is usually evergreen, but can be deciduous in the dry season. The leaves are alternate, broad lanceolate, with an entire margin and a petiole with a complex vascular system. The flowers are small, yellow-green, with five sepals and petals; they are produced in clusters, and are wind-pollinated. The fruit is an orange-red berry-likedrupe 5 mm diameter, containing 5–10 seeds; it is eaten by various birds (including cotingas, pigeons, tanagers, thrushes, and trogons), which disperse the seeds in their droppings.[1][3][6]
References
^ abLacostea, J. F., & Alexandre, D. Y. (1991). Le goupi (Goupia glabra Aubl), essence forestière d'avenir en Guyane : analyse bibliographique. Ann. For. Sci. 48: 429-441. Available online (pdf file; in French)
