Common Name:

General Information

Chloroleucon tortum is a spiny, deciduous tree with a wide-spreading, open crown; it can grow 6 - 12 metres tall. The straight bole can be 30 - 50cm in diameter[].
The tree yields a very ornamental wood and so is commonly harvested from the wild. It can be used as a pioneer tree for restoring woodland and, as a very ornamental tree that is valued especially for its decorative trunk, it is suitable for landscaping purposes in urban areas[].
The plant has a very restricted range and its habitat is under severe threat from human activity. It is classified as 'Critically Endangered' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2011)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - eastern Brazil.

Habitat

Broadleaved and semideciduous forests, more commonly found in areas of low tree density, in both dense primary formations and more open secondary forest[]. A shrubby tree restricted to restinga and thickets on sandy soils along the coast[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Critically Endangered
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	9.00 m
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Prefers a sunny position[]. Succeeds in a wide range of soils[].
Plants have a fairly fast rate of growth, reaching a height of up to 2.5 metres within 2 years from seed[].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria; these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

A fairly fast growing tree that succeeds in full sun, it can be used in reforestation schemes for re-establishing native woodland[].

Other Uses

The wood is irregular-grained, moderately heavy, hard, compact, of high durability when kept dry. A very decorative wood, it is used for fine cabinet making, lathe work and tool handles[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a partially shaded position in a nursery seedbed. A germination rate of less than 20% can be expected, with the seed sprouting within 8 - 20 days[]. When the seedlings are 3 - 5cm tall, pot them up into individual containers and they should be ready to plant out within 5 months[].
Like many species within the family Fabaceae, once they have been dried for storage the seeds of this species may benefit from scarification before sowing in order to speed up germination. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water. By this time they should have imbibed moisture and swollen - if they have not, then carefully make a nick in the seedcoat (being careful not to damage the embryo) and soak for a further 12 hours before sowing[].

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