Common Name:

General Information

Margaritaria nobilis is a deciduous tree with an open, globose crown; usually growing 8 - 16 metres tall. The straight, cylindrical bole can be 40 - 70cm in diameter[]. The plant can sometimes be more or less evergreen[].
The tree is sometimes harvested from the wild for local use of its wood, and is also suitable for use in re-establishing woodland. An ornamental tree, it can be used in landscaping projects[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S America - Argentina, Paraguay, Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, the Guyanas; Caribbean; C. America - Panama to Mexico; Galapagos

Habitat

Found in a range of forest types, growing mainly on alluvial plains and slopes[]. Seasonal rain or riparian forests, usually in areas of successional vegetation; mostly at lower elevations, but ascending to 1,000 metres[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	12.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in full sun and in dappled shade[]. Plants can tolerate seasonal inundation of the soil[].
A moderate to fast-growing tree[].
Plants can flower and produce fruit nearly all year round[].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if fruit and seed are required.

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

A fast-growing tree, it can be used in projects to restore native woodland[].

Other Uses

The heartwood is brownish, sometimes pinkish; the sapwood is light brown[]. The wood is light in weight, soft, with poor mechanical properties, not durable when exposed to the elements[]. The wood is hard according to another report[].. Easy to work with but of low quality, it is only used for low value items such as boxes, crates, linings posts and toys[, ].
The wood is used for fuel[].

Propagation

Seed - it has a viability of around 60 days and so is best sown as soon as it is ripe in a partially shaded position in a nursery seedbed. A high germination rate can usually be expected, with the seed sprouting within a few weeks[]. When the seedlings are 4 - 5cm tall, pot them up into individual containers and they should be ready to plant out about 4 - 5 months later[].

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