Common Name:

General Information

Parkia pendula is an evergreen tree growing from 20 - 40 metres tall[]. The straight, cylindrical bole can be free of branches for up to 11 metres[]. The bole has large prop roots up to 100cm in diameter[].
The tree is harvested from the wild for its timber. A very ornamental tree, mainly because of the curious aspect of the flowers, it is used in landscaping for larger areas[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Surinam, Guyana; C. America - Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras.

Habitat

Dense primary rainforests, usually on higher land[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	30.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Bats
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the moist tropics, mainly at lower elevations but ascending to 900 metres or more.
Prefers a position in full sun or light shade[].
Newly planted young trees establish well and grow away quickly, easily reaching a height of 3.5 metres within 2 years[].
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

A decoction of the bark is used in the treatment of dysentery and headaches[].
A decoction of the bark, in a bath, is used to treat inflammations, itch, vaginal flow and swellings[]. The powdered bark is placed on wounds to cicatrize them[].
The bark, combined with the stem-bark and root-bark of Erythrina fusca, is used in a cataplasm to treat headaches[].
The inner bark is rasped in a cold water infusion and used as a wash for fevers[].

Other Uses

The heartwood is light brown to brown, the sapwood pale yellow[]. The wood is straight-grained; lustre is medium; moderately heavy but soft; moderately durable, resistant to attacks of fungi and insects[, ]. The wood works well; it is easy to machine, finishes smoothly[, ]. It is used in construction; ship building; for making furniture; cabinet making; toys; decorative veneer etc[].

Propagation

Seed - it has a hard seedcoat and needs 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. Sow the seed in a semi-shaded position in a nursery seedbed or individual containers. Germination rates are usually high, with the seed sprouting within 20 - 40 days. Seedlings grow quickly and can be ready for planting out into their permanent positions within 4 - 5 months[].

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