A recent publication, Taxon 61(1): 103. 2012., has proposed transferring this species to the genus Muellera as Muellera campestris (Mart. Ex Benth.) M.J. Silva & A.M.G. Azevedo[].

Common Name:

General Information

Lonchocarpus campestris is a deciduous tree with a sparse, roundish crown; it can grow 5 - 12 metres tall. The usually crooked bole branches from quite low down, it can be 30 - 50cm in diameter[].
The tree is sometimes harvested from the wild for local use of its wood. A pioneer species, it can be used in restoring native woodland. Very ornamental when in bloom, it can be used in urban street plantings[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

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

Habitat

Gallery forests, dry forests and more open areas at higher elevations, more often in open, secondary formations, at elevations up to 1,200 metres[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	9.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Requires a sunny position[].
Young plants have a moderate rate of growth[],
There are conflicting reports on whether or not this tree has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, so it is unclear as to whether this tree fixes atmospheric nitrogen[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

The tree is a natural pioneer and can be used in reforestation projects to restore native woodland[].

Other Uses

The wood is fine to medium-textured, cross-grained, heavy, soft, with poor mechanical properties and not durable when exposed to the elements. It is used locally for internal work in rural constructions, rustic furniture, tool handles and stakes[].
The wood is used for fuel and to make charcoal[].
We have no more information on the wood of this species. However, we have a general description of the wood for members of this genus, which is as follows:-
The heartwood is yellowish-brown to dark reddish-brown, striped with rather fine uniform parenchyma laminations of a lighter colour; it is sharply demarcated from the thick band of yellowish sapwood. The texture is moderately coarse; the grain straight to irregular or interlocked; lustre is low to medium; there is no distinctive odour or taste. Durability varies considerably with the species. Seasoning also varies with species, the drying rate can be rather slow to rather
rapid. It is reported to dry satisfactorily without excessive distortion or shrinkage if dried slowly. In spite of its hardness, the wood is not particularly difficult to work; smooth planing, however, is difficult because of interlocked grain. It is used for purposes such as heavy construction, flooring, furniture components etc. Durable species have been suggested for railroad crossties[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a sunny position in a nursery seedbed. A high germination rate can usually be expected, with the seed sprouting within 20 - 28 days[].
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 and improve 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[].

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