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Useful Tropical Plants

Poecilanthe parviflora

Benth.

Fabaceae

+ Synonyms

Common Name: Lapachillo

No Image.

General Information

Poecilanthe parviflora is an evergreen tree with a dense, globose crown; it is often only 4 - 10 metres tall, but can reach 15 - 25 metres. The bole can be 40 - 60cm in diameter[
419
Title
Brazilian Trees. Volume 1. 4th Edition.
Publication
 
Author
Lorenzi. H.
Publisher
Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora; Brazil.
Year
2002
ISBN
85-86714-17-8
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.
,
1558
Title
A Synopsis of the Genus Poecilanthe (Leguminosae, Papilionoideae, Brongniartieae)
Publication
Rodriguésia Vol 58 No 1, pp 255-264, 2007
Author
Meireles J.E. & Tozzi A.M.G.de Azevedo
Publisher
 
Year
2007
ISBN
0370-6583
Description
 
].
The tree is harvested from the wild for its good quality wood. It has potential for use as a pioneer species in restoring native woodland. An extremely ornamental tree, valued especially for its dark-green, shiny foliage, it can be used in landscaping and is particularly useful for street planting[
419
Title
Brazilian Trees. Volume 1. 4th Edition.
Publication
 
Author
Lorenzi. H.
Publisher
Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora; Brazil.
Year
2002
ISBN
85-86714-17-8
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.
].
Information is limited, but indicates that the species is endemic to an area extending from northern Argentina into the Rio Uruguay valley in Brazil. The plant is classified as 'Data Deficient' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(1998)[
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


Range

S. America - Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, southern and eastern Brazil.

Habitat

Broadleaved, semideciduous forests, found mainly in the dense primary forest, though able to grow in more open areas; favouring deep, clayey soils[
419
Title
Brazilian Trees. Volume 1. 4th Edition.
Publication
 
Author
Lorenzi. H.
Publisher
Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora; Brazil.
Year
2002
ISBN
85-86714-17-8
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.
]. Gallery forest, secondary scrub and pasture[
1558
Title
A Synopsis of the Genus Poecilanthe (Leguminosae, Papilionoideae, Brongniartieae)
Publication
Rodriguésia Vol 58 No 1, pp 255-264, 2007
Author
Meireles J.E. & Tozzi A.M.G.de Azevedo
Publisher
 
Year
2007
ISBN
0370-6583
Description
 
].

Properties

Conservation StatusData Deficient
Other Uses Rating *  *  *
HabitEvergreen Tree
Height20.00 m
Growth RateMedium
PollinatorsInsects
Cultivation StatusWild

Cultivation Details

A tree mainly of the subtropics, just entering into the tropics in eastern Brazil.
Grows best in a position with some shade, though it also succeeds in full sun[
419
Title
Brazilian Trees. Volume 1. 4th Edition.
Publication
 
Author
Lorenzi. H.
Publisher
Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora; Brazil.
Year
2002
ISBN
85-86714-17-8
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.
]. Found in the wild mainly in deep, clayey soils[
419
Title
Brazilian Trees. Volume 1. 4th Edition.
Publication
 
Author
Lorenzi. H.
Publisher
Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora; Brazil.
Year
2002
ISBN
85-86714-17-8
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.
].
Young plants are moderately fast-growing, able to reach a height of around 2.5 metres within 2 years from seed[
419
Title
Brazilian Trees. Volume 1. 4th Edition.
Publication
 
Author
Lorenzi. H.
Publisher
Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora; Brazil.
Year
2002
ISBN
85-86714-17-8
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.
].
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:

Often occurring in secondary scrub and pasture[
1558
Title
A Synopsis of the Genus Poecilanthe (Leguminosae, Papilionoideae, Brongniartieae)
Publication
Rodriguésia Vol 58 No 1, pp 255-264, 2007
Author
Meireles J.E. & Tozzi A.M.G.de Azevedo
Publisher
 
Year
2007
ISBN
0370-6583
Description
 
], coupled with its ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen and its fast growth[
419
Title
Brazilian Trees. Volume 1. 4th Edition.
Publication
 
Author
Lorenzi. H.
Publisher
Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora; Brazil.
Year
2002
ISBN
85-86714-17-8
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.
], makes this a potentially good species for use as a pioneer in restoring native woodland[
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].

Other Uses

The wood is fine-textured, irregular or cross-grained, very heavy, with good mechanical properties, highly resistant to rot and the attacks of dry wood termites. It is used for cabinet making; decorative panels; lathe work; for various purposes in construction including beams, rafters, laths, parquet flooring, floor boards, door and window frames; and for various outdoor uses including poles, posts and railway ties[
419
Title
Brazilian Trees. Volume 1. 4th Edition.
Publication
 
Author
Lorenzi. H.
Publisher
Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora; Brazil.
Year
2002
ISBN
85-86714-17-8
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.
].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a partially shaded position in a nursery seedbed or in individual containers. A germination rate in excess of 50% can be expected, with the seed sprouting within 20 - 40 days[
419
Title
Brazilian Trees. Volume 1. 4th Edition.
Publication
 
Author
Lorenzi. H.
Publisher
Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora; Brazil.
Year
2002
ISBN
85-86714-17-8
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.
]. When the seedbed-sown seedlings are 4 - 6cm tall, pot them up into individual containers and they should be ready to plant out 4 - 5 months later[
419
Title
Brazilian Trees. Volume 1. 4th Edition.
Publication
 
Author
Lorenzi. H.
Publisher
Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora; Brazil.
Year
2002
ISBN
85-86714-17-8
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.
].
Like many species within the family Fabaceae, once they have been dried for storage the seeds of this species may benefit from scarification before sowing in order 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[
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2024-03-28. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Poecilanthe+parviflora>

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