Albizia niopoides / Pseudalbizzia niopoides - Burkhart
Family:
Native to:
Habitat:
Fabaceae
Argentina to Colombia; Costa Rica to Mexico; Caribbean.
Semi deciduous and dry tropical forests, 0-150 meters above sea level. 25 meter tall tree.
Ecological value:
Wind-tolerant species, able to withstand hurricane-grade winds. Established plants are drought tolerant. Fast growing pioneer tree, easily reaching a height of 4 meters within 2 years from seed. Plants can recover after a forest fire. It can be used in reforestation projects.
Material uses:
Mixed reports about quality of wood, but believed to be of low durability. Used for pencils, toys, construction, furniture, floors and turnery. Roots are rich in saponins, which are commonly used in soap-making.
Edible uses:
Peeled stems can be steamed or boiled. The tap-roots of young plants that have not yet flowered, can be cooked and eaten. Provides shade in coffee plantations.
Medicinal use:
Boiled bark is used to heal scorpion bites.
Other details:
Ornamental species. Wood also used for fuel. Has a symbiotic relationship with soil bacteria that form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen which can be shared with neighboring plants.
Research:
Alex Anez Folla/Christine Facella
Sources:
“Pseudalbizzia Niopoides (Spruce Ex Benth.) E.J.M.Koenen & Duno | Plants of the World Online | Kew Science.” n.d. Plants of the World Online. Accessed November 29, 2023. https://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:77303815-1/general-information.
“Albizia Niopoides - Useful Tropical Plants.” n.d. Tropical.theferns.info. Accessed November 29, 2023. https://tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Albizia+niopoides.
Lorenzi. H., ‘Brazilian Trees. Volume 1. 4th Edition’, Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora; Brazil, 2002
Image source: David J. Stang