Common Name:

General Information

Parkia platycephala is a semideciduous tree with a wide, dense, low crown and branches reaching almost down to the ground, growing 8 - 18 metres tall. The short, cylindrical bole can be 30 - 60cm in diameter[].
The tree is sometimes harvested from the wild for local use of its wood. It can be used as a pioneer plant when restoring native woodland.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - northeast Brazil.

Habitat

Rainforest and dryland forest and their transition to savannah, mainly in open areas and secondary formations, favouring deep, well-drained soils, at elevations up to 900 metres[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Semi-deciduous Tree
Height	13.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Grows best in a sunny position[]. Prefers a deep, well-drained soil which can range from clayey to sandy[]. Established plants are drought tolerant[].
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, natural pioneer species, it can be used in reforestation projects to restore native woodland[].

Other Uses

The wood is medium to thick-textured, cross-grained, heavy, with moderate mechanical properties and moderately durable. It is only used locally, for purposes such as making boxes, linings, boards for internal divisions, toys etc[].
The wood is 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 n a sunny position in a nursery seedbed. A high germination rate can be expected from treated seeds, with the seed sprouting within 28 - 42 days[].

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