Common Name:

General Information

Pterocarpus rohrii is an evergreen tree with a dense, vase-shaped crown growing 8 - 14 metres tall. The cylindrical bole can be 30 - 50cm in diameter[].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of wood. It can be used as a pioneer species for restoring native woodland and establishing woodland gardens. An ornamental tree, valued for its shiny foliage and attractive, but short-lived blooms, it is used in landscaping and for planting along streets[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, French Guiana; C. America - Panama to Mexico.

Habitat

Atlantic rainforest, where it is found in both dense primary formations and also in more open, secondary growth; favouring sloping ground but indifferent to the physical condition of the soil[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Tree
Height	11.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Grows best in a sunny position[]. Succeeds in a wide range of soils[]. Prefers well-drained soils[].
A moderately fast-growing tree, able to reach a height of 2.5 metres within 2 years from seed[].
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

A decoction of the leaves is held to be one of the most effective febrifuges in the Amazon area of Colombia[].

Agroforestry Uses:

A moderately fast-growing tree that is very adaptable to soil type and also fixes atmospheric nitrogen, it makes a good pioneer species when restoring native woodland and should be a good species to use when establishing woodland gardens[, ].

Other Uses

The heartwood is white; it is not clearly demarcated from the sapwood. The wood is medium-textured, straight-grained, light in weight, soft, with a low durability and susceptible to the attacks of termites. It is used for internal finishing, frames, baseboards, lathe work, boxes, doors, panels etc[, ].
We have no more information on the wood of this species, but a general description of the wood for the American members of this genus is as follows:-
The heartwood is yellowish or whitish; it is not distinct from the sapwood, though traumatic heartwood can be dark brown or purplish. The texture is medium to coarse; the grain straight to irregular; lustre medium; thre is no distinctive odour or taste. The wood is generally reported to be very susceptible to attack by decay fungi. Most species are relatively easy to air season, with only slight checking and moderate warp, particularly in thinner boards. It is easy to work and finishes smoothly in all operations. The wood is used for purposes such as rough construction lumber, particleboard and fiberboard, general carpentry, plywood, and furniture components[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a partially shaded position in a nursery seedbed or in individual containers. A germination rate in excess of 40% can be expected from fresh seed, with the seed sprouting within 30 - 50 days[]. When the seedbed-sown seedlings are 4 - 6cm tall, pot them up into individual containers and they should be ready to plant out 6 - 7 months later[].
Seeds have a viability in excess of 6 months in storage[].
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 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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