Fabaceae FAMILY

Cenostigma macrophyllum

Edibility

0/5

Medicinal

0/5

Safety & Hazards

None known

Cultivation Details

HabitSemi-deciduous Tree

GrowthFast

Grows best in a sunny position^[1]. Prefers a well-drained, fertile soil^[1]. Established plants are drought tolerant^[1]. The plant is quite fast-growing when young, able to reach a height of 2.5 metres within 2 years from seed^[1]. Although many species within the family Fabaceae have a symbiotic relationship with soil bacteria, this species is said to be devoid of such a relationship and therefore does not fix atmospheric nitrogen.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a sunny position in a nursery seedbed. A high germination rate can be expected from fresh seed, with the seed sprouting within 14 - 20 days^[1]. When the seedlings are 4 - 5cm tall, pot them up into individual containers and they should be ready to plant out 5 - 6 months later^[1]. 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^[PFAF]. Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2026-02-20. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Cenostigma+macrophyllum>

Pollinators

Data unavailable

References

[1]Brazilian Trees. Volume 2. 4th Edition. — Lorenzi. H. · Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora; Brazil. · 2002 · ISBN 85-86714-15-1 ↩︎Information on 350 species of Brazilian trees. Stunning photographs of each species, brief details on the plant, its uses and how to grow it from seed. A superb work, with the minor irritation that the translation from Portuguese is not of the best.
[PFAF]Plants for a Future — pfaf.org ↩︎