All species formerly considered to belong to the genus Sclerolobium have been moved to Tachigali in line with the treatment by Henk van der Werff in 'A Synopsis of the Genus Tachigali (Leguminosae; Caesalpinioideae) in Northern South America', Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden Vol. 95, pp 618 - 660, 2008.

Common Name:

General Information

Tachigali melinonii is a tree that can grow up to 36 metres tall. The straight, cylindrical bole can be free of branches for up to 24 metres and up to 70cm in diameter with flat, broad buttresses[, ].
The tree is harvested from the wild for its wood, and for local use as a medicine.

Known Hazards

Dust from machining operations is extremely irritating to the nose and throat[].

Botanical References

Range

S. America - northern Brazil, Peru, Surinam, French Guiana.

Habitat

Rain forest, in areas not subject to seasonal inundation; on the edges of creek swamps; also in savannah forests[, ]

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	29.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

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

Water from the stem is used as a wash for children with fever[].

An infusion of the rasped bark is used as a wash for treating cramps[].

Other Uses

The heartwood is a uniform pale buff to dark yellowish-brown, sometimes with a pinkish or olive hue; it is demarcated from the 25 - 75 cm wide band of paler sapwood. The texture is medium to coarse ; the grain straight to interlocked, producing stripes on longitudinal surfaces; the lustre is high and satiny; growth rings are distinct due to wide bands of latewood. The wood is resistant to termite and marine borer attacks. It seasons rapidly with moderate warping, slight checking and case-hardening; once dry it is stable in service. Decreasing the rate of drying tends to minimize seasoning defects. The wood is fairly easy to work; sawn surfaces are somewhat woolly but finish smoothly unless the material is severely interlocked; it takes nails readily without splitting; bores easily with a smooth cut. It is used as raftwood[].
The wood makes an excellent charcoal[].

Propagation

Seed -

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