Tipui

Tipui is a term that can refer to several different things, most commonly a type of tree or a traditional canoe.

In botany, Tipui is the genus name for a group of trees in the family Bignoniaceae. The most well-known species is Tipuana tipu, native to South America, particularly Argentina and Bolivia. This tree is also known as the tipa, palo blanco, or rosewood. It is a large deciduous tree that can grow up to 25 meters tall and is often planted as an ornamental tree for its beautiful yellow flowers and shade. The wood of the tipui tree is hard and durable, used for furniture and flooring.

In the context of Indigenous cultures in the Amazon basin, "tipui" can refer to a type of dugout canoe. These canoes are typically made from a single large tree trunk, hollowed out by hand or with tools. They are a traditional and essential mode of transportation along rivers and waterways in the region, used for fishing, travel, and carrying goods. The exact design and construction of tipui canoes can vary between different Indigenous communities.

Due to the potential for confusion, it is important to consider the context when encountering the word "tipui" to determine whether it refers to the tree or the canoe.