Dipteryx

Dipteryx is a genus of flowering plants in the legume family Fabaceae, comprising several Neotropical tree species. Members of the genus are typically large hardwood trees that grow in tropical forests from Central America to South America. Dipteryx species are valued for durable timber, used in construction, flooring, and cabinetry in timber markets under names such as cumaru. The genus is best known for Dipteryx odorata, the tonka bean tree, native to the Amazon basin. The seeds develop in woody pods and are famed for their aromatic compounds.

Tonka beans have historically been used as a flavoring and fragrance ingredient because of their vanilla-like, caramel notes. They contain coumarin, a compound linked to safety concerns; due to regulatory and health considerations, culinary use is restricted in several countries, and tonka beans are often used principally in perfumery or in very small quantities as a flavoring agent.

Ecology and taxonomy: Dipteryx belongs to Fabaceae and includes several species distributed across tropical forests. The trees are typically evergreen with dense canopies; flowers are small and often inconspicuous, and fruit is a pod containing seeds.

Conservation: Habitat loss and overexploitation threaten some Dipteryx species, making sustainable management and protection of tropical forest ecosystems important for the genus’s future.