Machaerium aculeatum
Machaerium aculeatum
Safety & Hazards
None known
Cultivation Details
A plant of lowland subtropical to tropical areas being found from around sea level to over 1,000 metres. Prefers a sunny position, succeeding in most kinds of soil[1]. Young plants establish reasonably well, reaching a height of 2.5 metres within 2 years[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 ripe in individual pots in a semi-shaded position. Germination rate is usually low, taking place in 25 - 45 days[1]. Seedlings grow away slowly, taking 7 - 8 months before they are ready to plant out. They resent root disturbance, so care must be taken when planting them out[1]. Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2026-02-20. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Machaerium+aculeatum>
Pollinators
Data unavailable
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]Machaerium (Leguminosae, Papilionoideae, Dalbergieae) nos estados de Mato Grosso e Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil — Polido C.A. & Sartori A.L.B. · 2011 ↩︎