Common Name:

General Information

Macrolobium acaciifolium is a deciduous tree with a spreading crown; it usually grows up to 10 metres tall, but can reach 30 metres. The erect bole branches from around 1.5 metres, it is moderately cylindrical, around 35cm in diameter, wiith broad buttresses[, , ].
The tree is harvested from the wild for its wood and fruits. It is grown as a street tree, being often used in Brazil to ornament public squares[].
Machaerium acaciifolium is widespread in northern South America and is known to occur within a number of protected areas throughout the species' range. The taxon is not considered to be threatened or in decline. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - Bolivia northern Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, northwestern Brazil, Venezuela, the Guianas.

Habitat

Periodically flooded savannah and riparian forest[, ]. Dense, evergreen forest and along the margins of clearings in Peru[, ].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	10.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Although many species within the family Fabaceae have a symbiotic relationship with soil bacteria, this species is said to be devoid of such a relationship and therefore does not fix atmospheric nitrogen.

Edible Uses

The seeds are edible, but people warned that eating too much of them will rotten the teeth or cause lice infestation[]..The seedpods are around 40 - 55mm long and 30 - 35mm wide, containing a single seed[, ].

Medicinal

Awash of the decocted leaves is used to treat fevers[]. Herbal baths made with the leaves are believed to keep a person forever young, since this tree always gets fresh, young leaves after shedding its old ones[].

Other Uses

The fruits are used in making handicrafts that are sold in local markets[].

The heartwood is reddish or dark brown; it is clearly demarcated from the pale brown sapwood. The wood is odourless and tasteless; straight-grained; medium- or rather coarse-textured; of medium weight, firm, and strong; easy to work, takes a smooth, fairly lustrous finish; subject to stain[]. It is very flexible taking varied forms[]. It is used in the production of plywood, furniture, carpentry, woodworking, packaging, pulp for paper and boards of good quality[].The wood is used mainly for fuel[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a partially shaded position in individual containers. A high germination rate can be expected, with the seed sprouting within 30 - 40 days[].

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