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Cassia leiandra - Benth.

Common Name Marimari
Family Fabaceae
USDA hardiness 9-11
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Forests of the floodplains and seasonally flooded forests near lagoons and canals[ 416 ]. Most commonly found in secondary formations[ 420 ].
Range S. America - eastern and northern Brazil.
Edibility Rating    (4 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Tender Moist Soil Wet Soil Full sun
Cassia leiandra Marimari


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Cassia leiandra Marimari
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Summary

Found in South America, Marimari or Cassia leiandra, is a small tree of 6-14 m height with usually twisted trunk of around 30 cm in diameter and a wide, spreading crown. Though popular for the acidic-sweet, edible fruit, marimari is also used as an ornamental tree due to its yellow flowers located at the end of branches. The tree is grown from seeds. Found In: Amazon, Brazil, South America. Other Names: Seruia, Inga-mari, Marimari-da-varzea, Fava-marimari.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of lolypop
Cassia leiandra is a deciduous Tree growing to 10 m (32ft) by 10 m (32ft) 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.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist or wet soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Cassia moschata Benth.

Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit
Edible Uses:

Edible portion: Fruit. Fruit - raw[ 416 ]. The acidic-sweet, juicy pulp surrounding the seeds is eaten[ 317 , 416 , 420 ]. The fruit is harvested whilst the seeds are still green[ 416 ]. The fruit is a legume 40 - 70cm long and about 3cm wide[ 416 ].

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

Pioneer  Wood

Other uses rating: Low (2/5). Agroforestry Uses: A natural pioneer species in its native range - it could be used in local reforestation projects[ K ]. Other Uses The wood is thick-textured, moderately heavy, soft, of low durability and easy to work[ 420 ]. It is only used locally, for applications such as internal work in the construction of rustic houses, tool handles, cheap toys, boxes etc[ 420 ].

Special Uses

Food Forest

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

A tropical plant. Prefers a sunny position[ 420 ]. Often found in the wild on heavy, wet, clay soils[ 420 ]. Plants are tolerant of seasonal inundation of the soil[ 420 ]. A fast-growing plant[ 420 ]. Sometimes cultivated as a fruit tree.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe. The seed has a hard seedcoat and may benefit from scarification before sowing to speed up 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 in a sunny position in a nursery seedbed. Germination should take place within 2 - 4 weeks. Young seedlings grow quickly[ 420 ].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Marimari or Cassia leiandra.Other Names: Seruia, Inga-mari, Marimari-da-varzea, Fava-marimari.

Native Plant Search

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Found In

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

Found In: Amazon, Brazil, South America.

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.

None Known

Conservation Status

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

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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.

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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