Machaerium acutifolium
Machaerium acutifolium
Safety & Hazards
None known
Cultivation Details
Grows best in a sunny position[1]. Requires a well-drained soil[1]. Established plants are drought tolerant[1]. The plant can flower and produce fruit all year round[2]. 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[].
Propagation
Seed - best sown as soon as ripe in individual pots in a semi-shaded position. Germination rate is usually low, taking place in 5 - 25 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+acutifolium>
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]Machaerium (Leguminosae, Papilionoideae, Dalbergieae) nos estados de Mato Grosso e Mato Grosso do Sul, Brasil — Polido C.A. & Sartori A.L.B. · 2011 ↩︎
- [3]Mansfeld's Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Plants — http://mansfeld.ipk-gatersleben.de/pls/htmldb_pgrc/f?p=185:3:4292127278597336 ↩︎Terse details of a huge range of useful plants.