Macrolobium acaciifolium

(Benth.) Benth.

Fabaceae Edible: Seeds Potential hazards — see below 149 iNaturalist observations

iNaturalist· cc-by

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

Description

A tree. It grows 10 m tall. It has broad buttresses. The leaves are twice divided. They have yellowish hairs underneath. The flowers are white. The fruit is a round flat pod that is woody. There is one seed.

Edible Uses

The seeds are edible, but people warned that eating too much of them will rotten the teeth or cause lice infestation..The seedpods are around 40 - 55mm long and 30 - 35mm wide, containing a single seed.

Traditional Uses

The young seeds are eaten. Caution: It has been suggested that the seeds should not be eaten in large amounts.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

Awash of the decocted leaves is used to treat fevers. Herbal baths made with the leaves are believed to keep a person forever young, since this tree always gets fresh, young leaves after shedding its old ones.

Known Hazards

Seeds should not be eaten in large amounts.

Distribution

It is a tropical plant. It grows in flooded savannah.

Where It Grows

America, Bolivia, Colombia, Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, South America, Suriname, Venezuela,

Cultivation

Although many species within the family Fabaceae have a symbiotic relationship with soil bacteria, this species is said to be devoid of such a relationship and therefore does not fix atmospheric nitrogen.

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a partially shaded position in individual containers. A high germination rate can be expected, with the seed sprouting within 30 - 40 days.

Other Uses

The fruits are used in making handicrafts that are sold in local markets. The heartwood is reddish or dark brown; it is clearly demarcated from the pale brown sapwood. The wood is odourless and tasteless; straight-grained; medium- or rather coarse-textured; of medium weight, firm, and strong; easy to work, takes a smooth, fairly lustrous finish; subject to stain. It is very flexible taking varied forms. It is used in the production of plywood, furniture, carpentry, woodworking, packaging, pulp for paper and boards of good quality.The wood is used mainly for fuel.

Notes

Also as Caesalpinaceae.

Also Known As

Arapari

References (4)

Andel T. van, Non-timber forest products of the North-West District of Guyana. Part 2. A Field Guide. Tropenbos-Guyana Programme. p 277
Reis, S. V. and Lipp, F. L., 1982, New Plant Sources for Drugs and Foods from the New York Botanical Garden herbarium. Harvard. p 127
Roa, J. A. G. & Boada, D. S. G., 2018, Fundación para el Fortalecimiento de la Fruticultura y Plantas Alimenticias no Convencionales en Colombia.
van Andel, T., 2000, Useful plants of Guyana. Non-Timber Forest Products of the North-West District of Guyana Part 2. p 367