Macrolobium taxifolium
Benth.
Fabaceae
Vouapa taxifolia (Benth.) Taub.
Common Name:
General Information
Macrolobium taxifolium is a tree with a flat crown; it can grow around 18 metres tall. The erect, cylindrical bole can be free of branches for around 8 - 9.5 metres and up to 70cm in diameter[
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flora that was attempted for this area in 1930, so it is obviously lacking information and the Botanical names can be out of date.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.
].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a source of materials.
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
Range
S. America - northern Peru, Venezuela
Habitat
Humid areas in dense forests[
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flora that was attempted for this area in 1930, so it is obviously lacking information and the Botanical names can be out of date.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
| Other Uses Rating |  |
| Habit | Tree |
| Height | 15.00 m |
| Pollinators | Insects |
| Cultivation Status | 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
None known
Medicinal
None known
Other Uses
The reddish to dark chocolate brown, fibrous bark is sometimes used for binding balata blocks and to tie balsa rafts[
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flora that was attempted for this area in 1930, so it is obviously lacking information and the Botanical names can be out of date.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.
].
The heartwood is a dark, pinkish brown; it is not sharply demarcated from the sapwood, which is yellowish white when fresh, darkening on exposure to pinkish brown. The wood is straight-grained; medium- or rather coarse-textured; light, but firm; easy to work; takes a smooth, lustrous finish. It checks in drying[
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.
].
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Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
