Common Name: Uña de Gato

General Information

Machaerium isadelphum is a spiny plant varying in habit from a climbing plant to a shrub or small tree. It usually grows from 3 - 10 metres tall, with a bole 5 - 30cm in diameter[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of wood. The plant is very ornamental when in flower, at which time it can be seen from quite a distance[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - Brazil, Peru, north through Central America to Mexico; Caribbean - Trinidad and Topbago

Habitat

Moist or dry thickets or forest, often along stream banks, sometimes in pine forest, at elevations up to 1,200 metres[]. Non-inundated habitats and along river banks, in rain forest, coastal dry forest and dry inter Andean valleys[]

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Climber
Height	0.00 m
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, 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

A reddish gum resin obtained from the bark is considered to be antidote to the bites of poisonous snakes[, ].

Other Uses

The bark yields a gum resin[, ].

The soft, fibrous wood is only suitable for purposes such as crates and pallets[].
The wood is used for fuel and to make charcoal[].

Propagation

Seed -

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