Alysicarpus monilifer

Cultivation Details

Alysicarcup monilifer is a plant of the arid to moist tropical zone, where it is found at elevations up to 1,000 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 17 - 28°c, but can tolerate 12 - 34°c^[1]. The plant is not tolerant of frost. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 400 - 1,000mm, but tolerates 200 - 1,500mm^[1]. Perennial forms of this plant from India are found in areas with 600 - 1,500mm annual rainfall, whilst annual types from Sudan are found in areas with 200 - 400mm, and a short growing season of less than 3 months^[1]. Prefers a sunny position, tolerating some shade^[1]. The plant grows on a wide range of soil types from deep sands and stony soils to cracking clays^[1]. Tolerates soils of low fertility^[1]. Succeeds in dry doild and also in soils that are seasonally inundated^[1]. Prefers a pH in the range 6 - 7.5, tolerating 5.5 - 8^[1]. 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^[2].