Common Name:

General Information

Clitoria fairchildiana is a deciduous tree with a dense, wide crown; it can grow 6 - 12 metres tall. It has a short bole[].
The tree is sometimes harvested from the wild for its wood, which is used locally. It can be grown as a pioneer for restoring woodland and, being an ornamental tree, it is often cultivated to provide shade in the north and southeast of Brazil[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - northern Brazil.

Habitat

Amazon rainforest, found mainly in open areas of secondary growth, favouring moist, fertile soils[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	9.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Grows best in a sunny position[]. Grows best in a moist, fertile soil[].
A moderately fast-growing tree, able to reach a height of around 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:

The tree can be used as a pioneer for establishing woodland, being fairly fast-growing and fixing atmospheric nitrogen[].

Other Uses

The wood is moderately heavy, smooth, with moderate mechanical properties, of low durability when exposed to the elements. Easy to work with, it is used in construction as indoor walls and wainscoting; also for making toys and boxes[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a partially shaded position in a nursery seedbed. A high germination rate can usually be expected, with the seed sprouting within 10 - 20 days[]. When the seedlings are 3 - 4cm tall, pot them up into individual containers and they should be ready to plant out 5 - 6 months later[].
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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