Common Name:

General Information

Pithecellobium diversifolium is a very spiny, deciduous shrub or tree with an irregular, sparse crown; it can grow 4 - 6 metres tall. There are normally several main stems which can be 10 - 20cm in diameter[].
The plant is sometimes harvested from the wild for local use as a fuel. A natural pioneer, it can be used when restoring native woodland in the Caatinga region of Brazil.
The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2011)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - northeastern Brazil.

Habitat

Semi-arid forests, favouring dry soils[]. Moist forest and seasonally flooded gallery forest[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	5.00 m
Growth Rate	Slow
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the 'Caatinga' dry forest region of northeast Brazil. The climate is hot and dry, there are usually 6 to 11 months without rain each year. The mean annual rainfall varies from 250 - 1,000mm, and the mean annual temperature is from 24 - 26°c.
Requires a sunny position[]. Found in the wild in dry soils[]. Established plants are very drought tolerant[].
A slow-growing plant, even when small[].
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:

Although slow-growing, this is a natural pioneer species of the semi-arid forests and also fixes atmospheric nitrogen; it can be used in restoring the forest in its native area[].

Other Uses

The wood is medium-textured, spiral-grained, moderately heavy, hard to cut, moderately durable. The wood is generally to small to be used for any purpose other than as fuel and to make charcoal[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a sunny position in a nursery seedbed. A germination rate of less than 50% can be expected, with the seed sprouting within 20 - 30 days[].

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