Common Name:

General Information

Mimosa scabrella is a semi-deciduous tree with a large, open, rounded crown; it usually grows 4 - 12 metres tall, with specimens up to 20 metres recorded. The straight bole can be 30 - 50cm in diameter[, ].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use of its wood. Because it grows so quickly, and the wood is an excellent fuel, it is often grown in plantations as a fuel crop[]. It is grown as a pioneer species to restore native woodland and as a shade tree in coffee plantations. Very ornamental when in bloom, it is used in general landscaping, mainly for planting in narrow streets[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - southern and eastern Brazil.

Habitat

Araucaria pine forests at higher elevations, where it is more common in secondary formations[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Semi-deciduous Tree
Height	10.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Native to the cool, subtropical plains of southeastern Brazil, the plant it is very robust and can grow in both warmer and drier areas. It is not recommended, however, for areas with mean annual temperatures higher than 23°c. It is found in areas where the mean annual rainfall ranges from 600 - 3,500mm and is spread through the year, though it is also able to tolerate dry periods of up to 4 months[].
Requires a sunny position[]. Succeeds in most soils and conditions[]. Prefers a freely-draining soil, being intolerant of waterlogged, compacted or severely degraded soils[]. Tolerant of strongly acid soils with a pH as low as 4.8, and also those soils with high aluminium content[]. Grows best in a position sheltered from strong winds[].
A fast-growing species, easily reaching a height of 3.5 metres within 2 years from seed[].Fourteen month old trees up to 5 metres tall have been recorded; in 2 years they have reached 8 - 9 metres; and some 3 year old specimens have reached 15 metres[].
Plantations have been harvested on rotations as short as 3 years, though fuelwood plantations in Brazil are more commonly planted at spacings of 2 x 2 or 3 x 3 m and harvested on 3 - 7 year rotations[].
This species does not coppice well, though it can be pollarded or pruned effectively[].
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 natural pioneer species within its native range, it is fast-growing and also fixes atmospheric nitrogen. It can be used as part of a mixed planting in native reforestation projects[].
The tree is used to provide shade in highland coffee plantations in Cameroon and Central America[].
The tree sheds large quantities of nitrogen-rich leaves that decompose rapidly and form rich humus, whilst its attractive flowers make it a pleasant live fence[].

Other Uses

The heartwood is tinted a greyish-rose colour; the sapwood is pinkish. The texture is medium; the grain straight. The wood is hard, moderately heavy, of low durability under adverse circumstances, with a moderately rough surface without lustre. Hard to cut, the wood is used in house construction, indoor finishing, and mainly for veneers and boxes[].
The wood makes a high-quality fuel, although charcoal made from it produces a large amount of ash[, ].

Propagation

Seed - it has a hard seedcoat and, unless sown as soon as it is ripe and still moist, may benefit from scarification before sowing to speed up 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 seed in a partially shaded position in individual containers or in a nursery seedbed. A high germination rate can be expected, with the seed sprouting within 20 - 30 days[]. When the nursery bed sown seedlings are 4 - 5cm tall, pot them up into individual containers. Seedlings grow very quickly and should be ready to plant out 3 - 4 months later[].

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