Common Name:

General Information

Microlobius foetidus is a semideciduous shrub or many-branched tree with a low, dense, globose crown; it can grow up to 7 metres tall. The bole can be 20 - 40cm in diameter[].
The tree is sometimes harvested from the wild for local use of its wood. It is a good species for use as a pioneer in restoring native woodland and establishing woodland gardens.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - Argentina, Paraguay, western Brazil, Bolivia.

Habitat

Open areas, often found in pastures and along the sides of roads, usually on alkaline soils[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Semi-deciduous Tree
Height	5.50 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Pollinators	Insects, Bees
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Grows best in a sunny position[]. Found in the wild on alkaline clay soils[].
Young plants have a moderate rate of growth, able to reach a height of 2 metres or more within 2 years from seed[].
Plants regrow freely from the base if cut down or burnt[].
The branches, leaves and seeds have a strong garlic smell which is more apparent in hot weather[].
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

Agroforestry Uses:

A fast-growing natural pioneer species that fixes atmospheric nitrogen, it can be used in reforestation projects to restore native woodland and also to establish woodland gardens[, ].

Other Uses

The strong garlic smell of the plant indicates a potential for use as a repellent in agriculture[].

The wood is medium-textured, cross-grained, moderately heavy, with moderate mechanical properties and of low durability. It has a potential for use in making boxes and for rustic buildings, but in practice is only used for fuel and to make charcoal[].

Propagation

Seed - it has a hard seedcoat and benefits from scarification before sowing 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. Sow the treated seed in a sunny position in a nursery seedbed. A virtually 100% germination rate can be expected from treated seeds, with the seed sprouting within 7 - 14 days[].

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