Platymiscium floribundum
Platymiscium floribundum
Safety & Hazards
None known
Cultivation Details
Prefers a position with some shade[1]. Grows best in a moist, fertile soil[1]. A slow-growing tree[1]. The young branches and leaf internodes are inhabited by aggressive ants, which cultivate scale bugs in the internodes[2]. The sap has a strong smell rather like sweet peas[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[3].
Propagation
Seed - it has a very short period of viability and so is 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 be expected from fresh seeds, with the seed sprouting within 8 - 14 days[1]. The seedlings grow away quite slowly and they should be ready to plant out 8 - 9 months later[1]. Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2026-02-20. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Platymiscium+floribundum>
Pollinators
Bees, Wasps, 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]Ptatymiscium (Leguminosae: Dalbergieae): Biogeography Systematics, Morphology, Taxonomy and Uses. — Kitgaard B.B. · Royal Botanic Gardens; Kew. · 2005 ↩︎A revision of the genus Platymiscium.
- [3]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.