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Summary

Piptadenia gonoacantha is a fast-growing, semi deciduous tree characterized by an open and ellipsoidal crown. It can be found in South America. Belonging in the legume family, it is capable of fixing atmospheric nitrogen due to its symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria that form root nodules. The wood is moderately heavy, hard, and moderately resistant to termites. It is used as material for a furniture, indoor finishing, toys, door panels, etc, and as fuel and for charcoal making.

Physical Characteristics

Piptadenia gonoacantha is a deciduous Tree growing to 15 m (49ft) by 15 m (49ft) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The flowers are pollinated by Bees.
It can fix Nitrogen.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil 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 or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Acacia gonoacantha Mart. Piptadenia communis Benth. Pityrocarpa gonoacantha (Mart.) Brenan

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 Containers Fuel Furniture Pioneer Wood

Agroforestry Uses: A fast-growing, pioneer species that has a fairly open crown and also fixes atmospheric nitrogen, it is a good choice as a pioneer species for restoring native woodlands and also for establishing woodland gardens[419 ]. Other Uses The wood is thick-textured; irregular-grained; moderately heavy; hard to cut, but soft to work with; medium resistance to the attacks of wood-eating organisms. It is used for indoor finishing, furniture frames, door panels, toys and packing cases[419 ]. One of the best woods in Brazil for use as fuel and for making charcoal[419 ].

Special Uses

Food Forest Nitrogen Fixer

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a sunny position[419 ]. Succeeds in a range of soils, including poor ones[419 ]. A fast-growing plant, easily reaching a height of 5 metres within 2 years from seed[419 ]. 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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Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

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Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a partially shaded position in a nursery seedbed or in individual containers. A very high germination rate can be expected from fresh seed, with the seed sprouting within 5 - 10 days[419 ]. When the seedbed-sown seedlings are 4 - 6cm tall, pot them up into individual containers and they should be ready to plant out 3 - 4 months later[419 ]. The seeds have a very short viability in storage[419 ].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

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

Brazil; Bolivia, Plurinational State of; Paraguay

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 itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

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

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Piptadenia stipulacea	Piptadenia bearing stipules	Tree	4.0	10-12	F	LMH	N	DM	0	0	4

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.

Expert comment

Author

(Mart.) J.F.Macbr.

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.

Piptadenia gonoacantha - (Mart.) J.F.Macbr.