Common Name:

General Information

Pseudopiptadenia contorta is an evergreen tree with a small, sparse crown; it can grow 7 - 24 metres tall. The straight, 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 when restoring native woodland or establishing woodland gardens.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - eastern Brazil.

Habitat

Atlantic rainforest and coastal rainforest, more commonly in open areas and secondary growth formations[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	15.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Grows best in a sunny position[].
Young plants have a 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:

A fast-growing tree that fixes atmospheric nitrogen and has an open crown, it can be used as a pioneer species when restoring native woodland and also for establishing woodland gardens[, ].

Other Uses

The wood is coarse-textured, irregular-grained, light in weight, hard to cut, with moderate mechanical properties and a low resistance to rot. It can be used for light construction, boxes and toys[].
The wood is used for fuel and to make charcoal[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a partially shaded position in a nursery seedbed. A high germination rate can be expected, with the seed sprouting within a few days[].
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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