Common Name:

General Information

Machaerium villosum is a semideciduous or evergreen tree with a much-branched, dense, globose crown; it can grow 20 - 30 metres tall according to one report[], but only 4 - 8 metres according to another[]. The almost cylindrical bole can be 50 - 80cm in diameter[].
The tree is harvested from the wild for its good quality wood, which is much used to make fine furniture and veneer[]. It is used as a pioneer species for restoring native woodland and is ornamental, so has the potential for use in landscaping[].
Although fairly widespread, this species grows in areas where deforestation has been severe. It is classified as 'Vulnerable' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2011)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - Paraguay, central and eastern Brazil, Bolivia.

Habitat

Highland dry forest[]. Semideciduous forests, usually above 500 metres, growing in both dense primary and more open, secondary formations, favouring well-drained, usually sandy soils on slopes and hill tops[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Vulnerable
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Semi-deciduous Tree
Height	25.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Grows best in a sunny position[]. Found in the wild mainly on well-drained, sandy soils[].
Plants have a moderate rate of growth[].
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 moderately fast-growing tree that fixes atmospheric nitrogen, it can be used as a pioneer species when restoring native woodland[].

Other Uses

The wood is moderately heavy, hard, with good mechanical properties and very durable even under unfavourable conditions. It is used for various outdoor purposes such as posts, poles and railway sleepers; for construction work as beams, rafters and laths; also for fine cabinet work. It has a high reputation for making furniture[, ].

Propagation

Seed - it has a hard seedcoat and may benefit from scarification before sowing 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. The seed has a short viability and so should be sown as soon as it is ripe in a partially shaded position in individual containers. A low germination rate can be expected from untreated seeds, with the seed sprouting within 20 - 40 days[]. The seedlings develop quite slowly, but they should be ready to plant out 8 - 9 months later[].

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