Common Name: Granadillo

General Information

Granadillo is a small to large tree that can occasionally reach as much as 30 metres tall[].
The plant is utilised locally from the wild for its timber[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Central America - Guatemala, Belize, Honduras.

Habitat

Moist or wet forest, often on limestone, or in wet thickets, at elevations of 1,500 metres or less[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	20.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Species in this genus are mainly found in the wild growing in sany soils and on limestone escarpments[]. In cultivation they are likely to do well in a fertile, loam soil and a position in full sun[].
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

Other Uses

The wood is orange-coloured with purple streaks, darkening to purplish brown, odourless, rather hard and heavy, very tough, of medium fine texture, the grain more or less interlocked[]. A heavy wood, its logs will not float in water[]. The wood is used locally for cart axles and tongues, wheel spokes, and other purposes[].

Propagation

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[].
Softwood cuttings of many species, especially if taken from younger plants, will root in a well-drained, sandy medium in a closed case with bottom heat[].

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