Lonchocarpus muehlbergianus
Lonchocarpus muehlbergianus
Safety & Hazards
None known
Cultivation Details
Grows best in a sunny position[1]. The plant grows best in a deep, moist, fertile soil[1]. A fast-growing tree, able to reach a height of 3.5 metres within 2 years from seed[1]. If cut down, this tree reproduces vigorously from the roots[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].
Propagation
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a partially shaded position in a nursery seedbed or in individual containers. A high germination rate can usually be expected from fresh seed, with the seed sprouting within 15 - 25 days[1]. When the seedbed-sown seedlings are 4 - 6cm tall, pot them up into individual containers and they should be ready to plant out less than 5 months later[1]. The viability of the seed in storage is short[3]. Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2026-02-20. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Lonchocarpus+muehlbergianus>
Pollinators
Insects
References
- [1]Brazilian Trees. Volume 1. 4th Edition. — Lorenzi. H. · Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora; Brazil. · 2002 · ISBN 85-86714-17-8 ↩︎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.
- [2]Nodulation Plants in GRIN Taxonomy — United States Department of Agriculture · http://www.ars-grin.gov/~sbmljw/cgi-bin/taxnodul.pl?language=en ↩︎An online database listing plants that have either positive or negative reports on root and stem nodulation with nitrogen-fixing bacteria.
- [3]Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden Vol. 76 — Missouri Botanical Garden · 1989 ↩︎An excellent botanical publication, available for download from the Internet. This volume contains a monograph of the genus Zapoteca (Calliandra) amongst other things.
- [4]Technical Information on 134 Species of Bolivian Woods — USDA Forest Service -- Forest Products Lab · USDA Forest Service · http://www2.fpl.fs.fed.us/publications/ ↩︎A PDF file, available for download. Exactly what the title says, brief and to the point.