Common Name: Devil's Ear

General Information

Enterolobium cyclocarpum is one of the largest fast-growing, deciduous trees in the dry forest formation of Central America, reaching up to 40 metres in height with a huge, spreading but thin crown[, ]. The bole is usually quite short, but can be up to 2 - 3 metres in diameter[]. Older trees develop small buttresses and produce large roots that run along the surface of the ground for 2 - 3 metres[].
A mulipurpose tree with a wide range of uses, providing a good timber, soap, tannins and a gum. The edible seeds and pods are sometimes gathered from the wild for local use[]. It is a popular tree for roadsides and urban planting, although sidewalks, roads, or foundations may be cracked or raised by the roots of the tree[] It is also frequently cultivated as shade tree in coffee plantations in tropical Central and South America[].

Known Hazards

The dust from sawmilling can cause allergies[].
The sawdust has been used as a fish poison[]. It is also said to be able to kill mammals[].

Botanical References

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Range

S. America - northwest Brazil, Venezuela and Colombia, north through Central America to Mexico.

Habitat

A climax, dominant species in subtropical, dry forest zones, restricted to disturbed areas in wetter forest types[]. Dry lowland forests and savannahs[]. Dry hillsides and by streams, usually below elevations of 300 metres in Guatemala[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	25.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Enterolobium cyclocarpum is a plant of low to medium elevations in the drier to moist tropics, where it is found at elevations up to 1,200 metres[]. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 23 - 28°c, but can tolerate 18 - 36°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 750 - 2,500mm, but tolerates 600 - 3,000mm[]. It is normally found in areas where there is a dry season of 1 - 6 months[].
Prefers a fertile, well-drained soil and a position in full sun[]. Seedlings grow best in a moderately sunny position[]. Medium-textured soils are probably best, but eroded ultasols, deep moist clays, shallow sandy clays and porous limestone all allow good development[]. Prefers a pH in the range 4.5 - 8, tolerating 4 - 8.5[]. Established plants are very drought tolerant[].
Although generally considered to have been introduced throughout the tropics, mainly as a roadside or garden tree, it is apparently little known or used outside its native range and has never been planted on a large scale[]. It has been tested in plantations in Puerto, Ghana and sporadically elsewhere[].
Trees resprout vigorously after coppicing or lopping[].
Adult trees produce about 2,000 pods, each with 10 - 16 seeds[].
This tree has been adopted as the national tree of Costa Rica[].
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

The young seedpods and seeds are cooked and eaten as a vegetable[, ]. The seeds are about 20 x 15mm, and are contained in a distinctive, thickened, contorted, indehiscent pod that resembles an ear in form[].

The seeds are roasted and ground[, ].

The pulp in the pods is sometimes eaten in times of food shortage[]. I assume that it needs to be cooked first, since it is rich in saponins and these are destroyed by heat[].

Medicinal

A syrup obtained from the bark is used in the treatment of colds[].
A gum obtained from the trunk is used as a remedy for affections of the chest[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The wide-spreading but light canopy, and ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen, makes it an ideal shade tree for perennial crops such as coffee[, ].
Combined with its ability to sprout vigorously when coppiced, the tree has a possible role as a hedgerow species in alley-cropping systems[].

Other Uses

The bark and fruit are used locally as a soap[, ]. Used especially to cleanse woollen goods[].

The fruit and bark contain tannins[].

A gum, called 'Goma de Caro', is obtained from the tree[]. It can be substituted for gum arabic (from Acacia senegal)[].

Local craftspeople often polish the seedpods and sell them to tourists[].

The heartwood is walnut-brown often with various shadings, sometimes with a reddish tinge; it merges gradually into the dull white sapwood. The texture is coarse; grain is straight to somewhat roey; lustre rather high; without distinctive odour or taste. The wood is very light in weight; it varies from soft and spongy to moderately hard and firm; is generally moderately durable, but is very durable in water; resistant to attack by dry-wood termites and Lyctus. It is very easy to work; the harder kinds take a good polish; is readily seasoned without warping or checking. The heavier material resembles walnut (Juglans spp.) in general appearance, and is a fairly satisfactory substitute for it. It has been used to a considerable extent for interior trim in residences and office buildings. The wood is highly esteemed for all sorts of construction purposes. From it are made the mortars used for hulling rice and coffee, the omnipresent washboards or trays, and dugout canoes, often very large ones. For construction purposes it is considered about as good as cedro (Cedrela spp), and it is valued especially because it is little injured by dampness and is not attacked by termites[, , ]. The pulped wood has been found excellent for producing quality paper[].
The wood is considered to be a very good fuel[].

Propagation

Seed - the seed coat is extremely thick and hard and seeds will not germinate unless they are treated to allow water to enter. This can be done by carefully cutting off a small part of the seed coat at the end away from the micropyle (scar), being careful not to damage the embryo, then soaking for a few hours in warm water. For larger amounts a suitable method is to soak the seeds for 30 seconds in water that is close to the boiling point followed by soaking for 24 hours in water at room temperature[].
Seed should be sown at a depth of 1 - 2 cm with the micropyle (scar) pointing downwards otherwise the root may grow upwards and out of the soil. Germination is fast, it starts after about four days and is normally complete after 10 days. Germination is good, about 85%. The seedlings require little shade in the nursery. They are ready for planting in the field after six months. Early growth of the seedlings is exceptionally rapid and vigorous and this continues several months after outplanting but then growth rate, although still vigorous, falls to a level similar to other fast-growing species. The species is light-demanding at all stages in its development and it is susceptible to weed competition during early growth[].
Natural regeneration is not seen in forests,
Seeds are most easily collected from pods that have fallen to the ground[]. Seed storage behaviour is orthodox; seeds tolerate desiccation to 10.7% mc[]. Seeds remain viable for several years under cool, dry conditions and can be easily stored under normal conditions[].
Natural regeneration is infrequent for several reasons[]. The seeds are spread principally by grazing animals, and after germination are always browsed off. They are also susceptible to fire, excessive shade, drought and competition from grasses[].

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