Platymiscium fragrans, treated here as a synonym, is sometimes recognised as distinct[].

Common Name:

General Information

Platymiscium pubescens can be deciduous or semi-deciduous depending on the length of the dry season. It grows from 10 - 15 metres tall with a dense, compact, globose crown. The more or less cylindrical bole can be 40 - 70cm in diameter[].
The tree produces a good quality wood and is commonly harvested from the wild, mainly for local use. It can be used as a pioneer when restoring native woodland and is sometimes grown as an ornamental[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - eastern Brazil, Bolivia.

Habitat

Atlantic rainforest, in both dense, primary formations and the more open, secondary growth areas; favouring well-drained soils on gentle slopes[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Semi-deciduous Tree
Height	12.50 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Pollinators	Bees, Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Grows best in a sunny position[]. Requires a well-drained soil[].
Young trees have a moderate to fast rate of growth[].
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:

An easy to reproduce tree that has a moderate to fast rate of growth and fixes atmospheric nitrogen, it can be used in reforestation projects to restore native woodland[].
The flowers are very attractive to bees.

Other Uses

The heartwood is chestnut reddish; the sapwood is a yellowish-white. The texture is medium; the grain is interlocked and undulate; lustre is medium; the odour is distinctive. The wood is moderately heavy, hard, with good mechanical properties and durable even when exposed. An attractive wood, it can be used for fine cabinet making, decorative boards, wainscoting, lathe work and construction[, ].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a sunny position in a nursery seedbed. A high germination rate can usually be expected, with the seed sprouting within 14 - 20 days[]. When the seedlings are 4 - 5cm tall, pot them up into individual containers and they should be ready to plant out 4 - 6 months later[].
Like many species within the family Fabaceae, once they have been dried for storage the seeds of this species may benefit 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[].

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