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Pityrocarpa moniliformis - (Benth.) Luckow & R.W.Jobson

Common Name Necklace Pityrocarpa
Family Fabaceae
USDA hardiness 10-12
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Atlantic rainforest and dryland forest, growing mainly in secondary formations and open areas, favouring fertile, alluvial soils, often with a high content of silica[420 ].
Range S. America - eastern and northeastern Brazil, Bolivia.
Edibility Rating    (0 of 5)
Other Uses    (4 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Tender Well drained soil Moist Soil Wet Soil Full sun
Pityrocarpa moniliformis Necklace Pityrocarpa


Tarciso Leão flickr.com
Pityrocarpa moniliformis Necklace Pityrocarpa
Tarciso Leão flickr.com

 

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Summary

Pityrocarpa moniliformis is a deciduous, fast-growing, small tree capable of fixing atmospheric nitrogen. It has an open and rounded crown and a crooked bole that can be about 30 cm in diameter. It grows up to 9 m in height. It is usually grown in South America particularly in eastern and northeastern Brazil and Bolivia and can be used as a pioneer species for restoring native woodland. The wood is only used for construction, light cabinet making and tool handles, for fuel and to make charcoal.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of lolypop
Pityrocarpa moniliformis is a deciduous Tree growing to 7 m (23ft) by 7 m (23ft) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The flowers are pollinated by Insects.
It can fix Nitrogen.
Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry moist or wet soil and can tolerate drought.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Piptadenia moniliformis Benth.

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

None known

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Charcoal  Fuel  Pioneer  Wood

Agroforestry Uses: A fast-growing small tree that fixes atmospheric nitrogen, it is a natural pioneer species and is an excellent choice for restoring native woodland and establishing woodland gardens in drier areas[420 , K ]. Other Uses The wood is medium-textured, cross-grained, heavy, with moderate mechanical properties and of good durability. Because of its small dimensions it is only used locally for purposes such as construction, light cabinet making and tool handles[420 ]. The wood is used for fuel and to make charcoal[420 ].

Special Uses

Food Forest  Nitrogen Fixer

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Grows best in a sunny position[420 ]. Prefers a fertile, alluvial soil, especially if sandy[420 ]. Established plants are drought tolerant[420 ]. The plant self-sows very freely in open areas, to the extent that it is considered a weed of pastures by cattle ranchers[420 ]. A fairly fast-growing plant when young, easily reaching a height of 2 metres within 2 years from seed[420 ]. 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[755 ].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Plant Propagation

Seed - it has a hard seedcoat and benefits from scarification before sowing to speed up and improve germination. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water. By this time they should have imbibed moisture and swollen - if they have not, then carefully make a nick in the seedcoat (being careful not to damage the embryo) and soak for a further 12 hours before sowing. Sow the treated seed in a sunny position in a nursery seedbed. A low germination rate can be expected if the seed is not treated, with the seed sprouting within 14 - 21 days[420 ].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

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Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Brazil

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

The plant self-sows very freely in open areas, to the extent that it is considered a weed of pastures by cattle ranchers[420 ].

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : This taxon has not yet been assessed

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Author

(Benth.) Luckow & R.W.Jobson

Botanical References

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here
A special thanks to Ken Fern for some of the information used on this page.

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