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CHAKÁ

(Bursera Simaruba)

Order: Sapindales | Family: Burseraceae

Bursera simaruba, known in Mexico as palo mulato or indio desnudo, inhabits dry and humid tropical forests from Mexico to South America and the Caribbean. It reaches up to 30 meters in height, with reddish and exfoliating bark. In Quintana Roo and Yucatan, it is called chaca. Its leaves are compound and aromatic.

bursera-simaruba-distribution-root

Root

Bursera simaruba develops a superficial and extensive root system, adapted to capture water in poor and dry soils. These roots allow its survival in arid and tropical climates. They are also important for soil stabilization, helping to prevent erosion in fragile and stony soils.

bursera-simaruba trunk

Trunk

The trunk of Bursera simaruba is notable for its smooth, thin, reddish bark, which peels off in sheets, revealing green or grayish layers. It can reach up to 30 meters in height, with a diameter of more than one meter. Its wood is light, although resistant, used in light constructions.

Bursera simaruba leaves

Leaf

The leaves of Bursera simaruba are compound, pinnate, with 7 to 11 oval and lanceolate leaflets. They are bright green and give off a characteristic aroma when broken. These deciduous leaves allow the tree to conserve water during the dry season, adapting to tropical climates.

Bursera simaruba flower

Flower

The flowers of Bursera simaruba are small, grouped in axillary or terminal inflorescences. They are light green or pale yellow and not very showy. These flowers, generally entomophilous pollination, produce a soft aroma that attracts pollinators such as bees and butterflies.

bursera-simaruba fruit

Fruit

The fruit of Bursera simaruba is a small ovoid drupe, measuring between 1 and 2 centimeters long. Initially green, it ripens to shades of red or black. This fruit is consumed by various species of wildlife, contributing to seed dispersal in ecosystems.

Identification and Origin: Bursera simaruba, known as palo mulato or chacá, is identified by its distinctive reddish bark that peels off in thin layers, exposing a greenish surface. Its leaves are compound and have a characteristic aroma. It is native to tropical areas from Mexico to South America and the Caribbean, growing in dry and humid forests. Its distribution ranges from coastal regions to low inland areas.

Height and Growth: Bursera simaruba can reach heights of up to 30 meters, although in adverse conditions it stays lower. Its growth is rapid, especially in tropical climates, and it adapts well to poor or rocky soils. During its youth, it develops a slender trunk that thickens with age, while its shallow roots allow it to expand in arid terrain.

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Geographic distribution: Bursera simaruba is found from southern Mexico to Central America, the Caribbean and parts of South America, reaching as far as Venezuela and Brazil.

Ideal climate: It prefers warm tropical climates, tolerating droughts and wet seasons. It adapts to low altitude zones with high solar exposure and tolerates climatic variability well.

Soil and proximity to the sea: It grows in poor, sandy or rocky soils with good drainage, adapting to salinity and coastal winds, which makes it ideal in ecosystems near the sea.

map-bursera-simaruba-distribution-area

5 Curious facts about the Chaká tree

The Bursera simaruba is known as the "naked Indian" because of its bark that peels off, simulating sunburned human skin.
Its bark has medicinal properties, used to treat burns, wounds and stomach ailments.
It is a pioneer tree, that is, it is one of the first to colonize deforested or disturbed areas.
It attracts numerous species of birds, such as parrots and toucans, which feed on its fruits.
Despite its soft wood, it is resistant to fire and extreme conditions, which makes it valuable in fire-prone areas.
bursera-simaruba copa