Peltophorum dasyrhachis

Cultivation Details

A plant of the moist tropics, where it is usually found at elevations from sea level up to 1,000 metres^[1]. It grows best in areas with a mean annual rainfall in the range 700 - 2,500mm and a dry season of 1 - 3 months, with a mean annual temperature of 20 - 25°c and the average temperature of the coldest month is not lower than 15°c^[1]. Young plants are shade tolerant but the plant requires a sunny position as it grows larger^{[1, 2]}. In the wild, the tree grows on many reddish yellow feralit soils on mica schist, gneiss, reddish basalt, sedimentary soil.^[1]. Due to its relatively deep rooting system, established plants are drought tolerant^[1]. The tree has a fairly thick bark and is hairy, helping it to be fairly tolerant of fire^[1]. The seed germinates in abundance after a bush fire^[1]. The trees can be pruned quite severely and usually resprout abundantly^[1]. The root system comprises a well-developed taproot and a few superficial lateral 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^[3].