Machaerium aculeatum
Raddi
Fabaceae
Drepanocarpus isadelphus E.Mey.
Drepanocarpus polyphyllus Benth.
Machaerium sericiflorum Vogel
Nissolia aculeata (Raddi) DC.
Common Name: Pau De Angu
Branch with new growth
Photograph by: Roberto Fiadone
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0
Branch with new growth
Photograph by: Roberto Fiadone
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0
Drawing of the leaves and flowers
Photograph by: Martius, C., Eichler, A.G., Urban, I., Flora Brasiliensis, vol. 15(1): fasicle 29, p. 232,237, t. 68 (1862)
General Information
Pau de angu is a spiny shrub or small tree with a globose, dense crown; it can grow 6 - 12 metres tall[
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.
], though sometimes it is a climbing shrub 2.5 - 4 metres tall[
1528- Title
- Machaerium (Leguminosae, Papilionoideae, Dalbergieae) nos estados de Mato Grosso e Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil
- Publication
- Rodríguésia 62(1): 107-122. 2011
- Author
- Polido C.A. & Sartori A.L.B.
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2011
- ISBN
-
- Description
-
]. The bole is crooked, and can be up to 30 - 40cm 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.
].
The tree is sometimes harvested from the wild for its wood, which is used locally. Ornamental when in bloom, it is grown in gardens, on roadsides etc. Its spines protect it from vandalism when it is small[
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.
].
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
1528- Title
- Machaerium (Leguminosae, Papilionoideae, Dalbergieae) nos estados de Mato Grosso e Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil
- Publication
- Rodríguésia 62(1): 107-122. 2011
- Author
- Polido C.A. & Sartori A.L.B.
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 2011
- ISBN
-
- Description
-
Range
S. America - Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia and Peru, north to Panama.
Habitat
Semi-deciduous forest, mainly in open, secondary formations, in unusual sites such as quarries, steep roadside banks and even on scraped subsoil[
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.
]. Exceptionally, it can be found in humid lowlands[
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.
].
Properties
| Other Uses Rating |  |
| Habit | Tree |
| Height | 10.00 m |
| Growth Rate | Medium |
| Cultivation Status | Ornamental, Wild |
Cultivation Details
A plant of lowland subtropical to tropical areas being found from around sea level to over 1,000 metres.
Prefers a sunny position, succeeding in most kinds of soil[
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 establish reasonably well, reaching a height of 2.5 metres within 2 years[
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[
755- Title
- Nodulation Plants in GRIN Taxonomy
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.ars-grin.gov/~sbmljw/cgi-bin/taxnodul.pl?language=en
- Publisher
- United States Department of Agriculture
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- An online database listing plants that have either positive or negative reports on root and stem nodulation with nitrogen-fixing bacteria.
].
Edible Uses
None known
Medicinal
None known
Agroforestry Uses:
A pioneer species, it can be planted on reclaimed land where its ability to fix atmospheric nitrogen helps to restore fertility[
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.
].
Other Uses
The wood is moderately heavy, easy to cut, of low durability when exposed[
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.
]. It is used in house construction, making boxes and light objects[
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 ripe in individual pots in a semi-shaded position. Germination rate is usually low, taking place in 25 - 45 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.
]. Seedlings grow away slowly, taking 7 - 8 months before they are ready to plant out. They resent root disturbance, so care must be taken when planting them out[
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.
].
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Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
