Common Name:

General Information

Tibouchina candolleana is a semideciduous tree with a low, globose crown; it can grow 4 - 6 metres tall. The short bole can be 20 - 30cm in diameter. When growing in poor soils the plant is often only a small shrub[].
The tree is sometimes harvested from the wild for local use of its wood. It can be used as a pioneer species when restoring native woodland and, being very ornamental when in bloom, can be used in landscaping[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - eastern and central Brazil.

Habitat

Semideciduous forests, often in the more open, secondary formations, both near rivers in valley bottoms and also on hillsides, at moderate elevations[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Semi-deciduous Tree
Height	5.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Grows best in a sunny position[].
Young plants have a fast rate of growth[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

A fast-growing pioneer species, it can be used in reforestation projects to restore native woodland[].

Other Uses

The wood is medium-textured, inclined-grained, moderately heavy, with poor mechanical properties and very susceptible to insect attack. It is only used locally, for low value articles such as broom handles and boxes[].
The wood is used for fuel and to make charcoal[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a sunny position in a nursery seedbed. The seed is very small, so should be spread over the surface of the soil and then watered in gently to bury it, but being careful not to wash it away. A low germination rate can be expected, with the seed sprouting within 70 - 80 days[]. When the seedlings are 4 - 5cm tall, pot them up into individual containers and they should be ready to plant out 6 months later[].

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