| DESCRIPTION: It is a tree or shrub reaching 4-12 m or even 20 m in height, with a tall, straight, slender trunk 10-50 cm in diameter in forest, or short and branched, with dense rounded crown of grey foliage. Leaves pinnate, compound and small, with axis 3-11 cm long and 3-9 pairs of pinnae 2-7 cm long, larger on vigorous twigs. USE: The flowers are a source of honey, wood is used as timber, paper pulp and fuel. The tree is used as a shade tree for highland coffee plantations in Cameroon and Central America. It is used for reforestation, as an ornamnetal and living fence. The tree is able to fix atmospheric nitrogen and throughout the year, it sheds large quantities of nitrogen-rich leaves that decompose rapidly and form rich humus. Often found growing in association with maize and beans. GROWING PERIOD: Perennial. COMMON NAMES: Mimosa. FURTHER INF: It is native to the cool, subtropical plains of southeastern Brazil, but it is very robust and can grow in both warmer and drier areas. The species is not recommended, however, for areas with mean annual temperatures higher than 23°C. Although in its natural range, rainfall is generally well distributed throughout the year, the tree can tolerate dry periods of up to 4 months. It is susceptible to strong winds. It prefers free-draining soil. It tolerates strongly acid soils with pH as low as 4.8 and those with high aluminium content; it does not tolerate waterlogged, compacted or severely degraded soils. |