Macrolobium acaciifolium
(Benth.) Benth.
Fabaceae
Outea acaciifolia Benth.
Vouapa acaciaefolia (Benth.) Baill.
Vouapa acaciaefolia (Benth.) Kuntze
Common Name:
General Information
Macrolobium acaciifolium is a deciduous tree with a spreading crown; it usually grows up to 10 metres tall, but can reach 30 metres. The erect bole branches from around 1.5 metres, it is moderately cylindrical, around 35cm in diameter, wiith broad buttresses[
493- Title
- Flora of Yucatan
- Publication
-
- Author
- Standley P.C.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Field Museum of Natural History; Chicago
- Year
- 1930
- ISBN
-
- Description
- The first flora that was attempted for this area in 1930, so it is obviously lacking information and the Botanical names can be out of date. Still, an excellent work and it records many plant uses. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
,
922- Title
- Non-timber forest products of the North-West District of Guyana
- Publication
- Tropenbos-Guyana Series 8a
- Author
- van Andel T.R.
- Publisher
- Tropenbos-Guyana Programme; Georgetown, Guyana
- Year
- 2000
- ISBN
- 90-393-2536-7
- Description
- A very detailed study of the peoples and the plants they use, it includes a field guide to almost 500 species of useful plants.
,
1530- Title
- O gênero Macrolobium Schreb. (Leguminosae) no estado do Amapá, Brasil
- Publication
- Iheringia, Série Botânica, Porto Alegre, 72(2):267-275, 31 de agosto de 2017
- Author
- Félix-da-Silva et al.
- Website
- http://10.21826/2446-8231201772213
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2017
- ISBN
- 2446-8231
- Description
-
].
The tree is harvested from the wild for its wood and fruits. It is grown as a street tree, being often used in Brazil to ornament public squares[
1530- Title
- O gênero Macrolobium Schreb. (Leguminosae) no estado do Amapá, Brasil
- Publication
- Iheringia, Série Botânica, Porto Alegre, 72(2):267-275, 31 de agosto de 2017
- Author
- Félix-da-Silva et al.
- Website
- http://10.21826/2446-8231201772213
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2017
- ISBN
- 2446-8231
- Description
-
].
Machaerium acaciifolium is widespread in northern South America and is known to occur within a number of protected areas throughout the species' range. The taxon is not considered to be threatened or in decline. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[
338- Title
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.iucnredlist.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
1530- Title
- O gênero Macrolobium Schreb. (Leguminosae) no estado do Amapá, Brasil
- Publication
- Iheringia, Série Botânica, Porto Alegre, 72(2):267-275, 31 de agosto de 2017
- Author
- Félix-da-Silva et al.
- Website
- http://10.21826/2446-8231201772213
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2017
- ISBN
- 2446-8231
- Description
-
Range
S. America - Bolivia northern Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, northwestern Brazil, Venezuela, the Guianas.
Habitat
Periodically flooded savannah and riparian forest[
338- Title
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.iucnredlist.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
,
922- Title
- Non-timber forest products of the North-West District of Guyana
- Publication
- Tropenbos-Guyana Series 8a
- Author
- van Andel T.R.
- Publisher
- Tropenbos-Guyana Programme; Georgetown, Guyana
- Year
- 2000
- ISBN
- 90-393-2536-7
- Description
- A very detailed study of the peoples and the plants they use, it includes a field guide to almost 500 species of useful plants.
]. Dense, evergreen forest and along the margins of clearings in Peru[
338- Title
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.iucnredlist.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
,
493- Title
- Flora of Yucatan
- Publication
-
- Author
- Standley P.C.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Field Museum of Natural History; Chicago
- Year
- 1930
- ISBN
-
- Description
- The first flora that was attempted for this area in 1930, so it is obviously lacking information and the Botanical names can be out of date. Still, an excellent work and it records many plant uses. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
Properties
| Conservation Status | Least Concern |
| Medicinal Rating |  |
| Other Uses Rating |  |
| Habit | Deciduous Tree |
| Height | 10.00 m |
| Pollinators | Insects |
| Cultivation Status | Ornamental, Wild |
Cultivation Details
Although many species within the family Fabaceae have a symbiotic relationship with soil bacteria, this species is said to be devoid of such a relationship and therefore does not fix atmospheric nitrogen.
Edible Uses
The seeds are edible, but people warned that eating too much of them will rotten the teeth or cause lice infestation[
922- Title
- Non-timber forest products of the North-West District of Guyana
- Publication
- Tropenbos-Guyana Series 8a
- Author
- van Andel T.R.
- Publisher
- Tropenbos-Guyana Programme; Georgetown, Guyana
- Year
- 2000
- ISBN
- 90-393-2536-7
- Description
- A very detailed study of the peoples and the plants they use, it includes a field guide to almost 500 species of useful plants.
]..The seedpods are around 40 - 55mm long and 30 - 35mm wide, containing a single seed[
422- Title
- Fruits of the Guianan Flora
- Publication
-
- Author
- van Roosmalen. M.G.M.
- Publisher
- Institute of Systematic Boyany, Utrecht University; Netherlands.
- Year
- 1985
- ISBN
- 90-9000988-4
- Description
- Terse descriptions of over 1,700 species from the Guianas that bear fruits - not necessarily edible! Often mentions if the fruit is edible, plus gives brief description of habit and habitat.
,
1530- Title
- O gênero Macrolobium Schreb. (Leguminosae) no estado do Amapá, Brasil
- Publication
- Iheringia, Série Botânica, Porto Alegre, 72(2):267-275, 31 de agosto de 2017
- Author
- Félix-da-Silva et al.
- Website
- http://10.21826/2446-8231201772213
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2017
- ISBN
- 2446-8231
- Description
-
].
Medicinal
Awash of the decocted leaves is used to treat fevers[
348- Title
- Medicinal Plants of the Guianas
- Publication
-
- Author
- DeFilipps, R. A.; Maina, S. L.; & Crepin, J.
- Website
- http://botany.si.edu/bdg/medicinal/index.html
- Publisher
- Smithsonian Museum
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A down-loadable PDF document of a book in pre-publication awaiting illustration. An excellent, if rather terse, guide to the traditional medicinal uses of the plants of the region
]. Herbal baths made with the leaves are believed to keep a person forever young, since this tree always gets fresh, young leaves after shedding its old ones[
922- Title
- Non-timber forest products of the North-West District of Guyana
- Publication
- Tropenbos-Guyana Series 8a
- Author
- van Andel T.R.
- Publisher
- Tropenbos-Guyana Programme; Georgetown, Guyana
- Year
- 2000
- ISBN
- 90-393-2536-7
- Description
- A very detailed study of the peoples and the plants they use, it includes a field guide to almost 500 species of useful plants.
].
Other Uses
The fruits are used in making handicrafts that are sold in local markets[
1530- Title
- O gênero Macrolobium Schreb. (Leguminosae) no estado do Amapá, Brasil
- Publication
- Iheringia, Série Botânica, Porto Alegre, 72(2):267-275, 31 de agosto de 2017
- Author
- Félix-da-Silva et al.
- Website
- http://10.21826/2446-8231201772213
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2017
- ISBN
- 2446-8231
- Description
-
].
The heartwood is reddish or dark brown; it is clearly demarcated from the pale brown sapwood. The wood is odourless and tasteless; straight-grained; medium- or rather coarse-textured; of medium weight, firm, and strong; easy to work, takes a smooth, fairly lustrous finish; subject to stain[
493- Title
- Flora of Yucatan
- Publication
-
- Author
- Standley P.C.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Field Museum of Natural History; Chicago
- Year
- 1930
- ISBN
-
- Description
- The first flora that was attempted for this area in 1930, so it is obviously lacking information and the Botanical names can be out of date. Still, an excellent work and it records many plant uses. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
]. It is very flexible taking varied forms[
1530- Title
- O gênero Macrolobium Schreb. (Leguminosae) no estado do Amapá, Brasil
- Publication
- Iheringia, Série Botânica, Porto Alegre, 72(2):267-275, 31 de agosto de 2017
- Author
- Félix-da-Silva et al.
- Website
- http://10.21826/2446-8231201772213
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2017
- ISBN
- 2446-8231
- Description
-
]. It is used in the production of plywood, furniture, carpentry, woodworking, packaging, pulp for paper and boards of good quality[
1530- Title
- O gênero Macrolobium Schreb. (Leguminosae) no estado do Amapá, Brasil
- Publication
- Iheringia, Série Botânica, Porto Alegre, 72(2):267-275, 31 de agosto de 2017
- Author
- Félix-da-Silva et al.
- Website
- http://10.21826/2446-8231201772213
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2017
- ISBN
- 2446-8231
- Description
-
].The wood is used mainly for fuel[
493- Title
- Flora of Yucatan
- Publication
-
- Author
- Standley P.C.
- Website
- http://www.biodiversitylibrary.org
- Publisher
- Field Museum of Natural History; Chicago
- Year
- 1930
- ISBN
-
- Description
- The first flora that was attempted for this area in 1930, so it is obviously lacking information and the Botanical names can be out of date. Still, an excellent work and it records many plant uses. It can be downloaded from the Internet.
].
Propagation
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a partially shaded position in individual containers. A high germination rate can be expected, with the seed sprouting within 30 - 40 days[
420- Title
- Brazilian Trees. Volume 2. 4th Edition.
- Publication
-
- Author
- Lorenzi. H.
- Publisher
- Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora; Brazil.
- Year
- 2002
- ISBN
- 85-86714-15-1
- Description
- Information on 350 species of Brazilian trees. Stunning photographs of each species, brief details on the plant, its uses and how to grow it from seed. A superb work, with the minor irritation that the translation from Portuguese is not of the best.
].
If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.
Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
