The status of this species is uncertain. Although the taxon is generally accepted, the 2012 on-line Flora do Brasil has relegated it to the status of synonym of Machaerium brasiliense[].

Common Name:

General Information

Machaerium vestitum is a semideciduous tree with a dense, roundish crown; it can grow 8 - 14 metres tall[]. The short bole can be 40 - 70cm in diameter[].
The tree is sometimes harvested from the wild for local use of its wood.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - eastern Brazil.

Habitat

Semideciduous forests, mainly in the more open, secondary formations; favouring sloping, well-drained land with good quality, fertile soils; usually at moderate elevations[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Semi-deciduous Tree
Height	11.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Pollinators	Bees, Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Requires a sunny position[]. Grows best in a fertile, well-drained soil of good quality[], Established plants are drought tolerant[].
Young plants have a moderate rate of growth[].
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 medium-textured, irregular-grained, moderately heavy, hard, with moderate mechanical properties and with good durability. The wood has been used for making yokes, curved objects, barrels, lathe work, rustic furniture etc[].
The wood is used for fuel and to make charcoal[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a sunny position in a nursery seedbed. A medium germination rate can usually be expected, with the seed sprouting within 21 - 28 days[]. When the seedlings are 4 - 5cm tall, pot them up into individual containers and they should be ready to plant out months later[].
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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