This name is based on Schütz, R. In 'Leptolobium in Lista de Espécies da Flora do Brasil' 2010. Other treatments use Acosmium subelegans as the correct name - here treated as a synonym.

Common Name:

General Information

Leptolobium elegans is a semideciduous tree with a light, open crown; it can grow 4 - 7 metres tall. The bole can be 20 - 30cm in diameter[].
The tree is sometimes harvested from the wild as a medicine and source of wood, which are used locally. An ornamental plant, it is suitable for planting along the sides of roads, especially where a small tree is required due to overhead electricity wires[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - Paraguay, Brazil.

Habitat

Savannahs, generally occurring in small groups, mainly in high fields in well-drained soils[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Semi-deciduous Tree
Height	6.00 m
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Requires a sunny position[]. Usually found on well-drained soils in the wild[]. Established plants are drought tolerant[].
Newly planted young trees generally grow away quite slowly, rarely exceeding 2 metres in height after two years[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The inner bark is strongly bitter, sedative and mildly soporific. It is also used in the treatment of epilepsy[].

The inner bark contains alkaloids, lupeol and a pyrone derivative[].

Agroforestry Uses:

A pioneer species within its native range, it can be used in reforestation projects where it is particularly useful in poor and dry soils[].

Other Uses

The light-yellow wood is of medium texture, moderately heavy, hard and moderately resistant to the attacks of wood-eating organisms[]. It is of limited use due to its generally small dimensions, though it is sometimes used for indoor finishing in buildings, general carpentry and joinery, posts and stakes for use in damp places[, , ].
The wood is used to make charcoal[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe, when it will not require pre-treatment[]. Seed should be sown in a semi-shaded position - sow it in individual containers because the seedlings cannot be transplanted very easily. Germination rates are usually low, with the seed sprouting in 15 - 30 days[]. The seedlings grow away slowly and are usually ready to plant out when 10 - 11 months old[].

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