Common Name:

General Information

Parkia discolor is an evergreen tree with a wide, dense crown growing 10 - 15 metres tall. The short, cylindrical bole can be 30 - 40cm in diameter[].
The tree is sometimes harvested from the wild for local use of its wood. It can be used as a pioneer species when restoring native woodland.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - northern Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela.

Habitat

Amazon rainforest, growing in open areas on the flood plain, often in poor, white, sandy soils[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	12.50 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Grows best in a sunny position[]. Found in the wild on poor, white sandy soils[]. Tolerant of seasonal inundation of the soil[].
Young plants have a fast rate of growth[].
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

None known

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

A fast-growing tree tolerant of poor soils and growing well in full sun, it can be used as a pioneer plant when restoring native woodland[].

Other Uses

The wood is coarse-textured, straight-grained, light in weight, with poor mechanical properties, durable, but susceptible to the attacks of termites. Easy to cut, it is used for veneer backing, light boxes, toys etc[].

Propagation

Seed - it has a hard seedcoat and benefits 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. Sow the treated seed in a partially shaded position in a nursery seedbed. A moderate germination rate can usually be expected, with the seed sprouting within 20 - 40 days[].

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