Quickstick
Gliricidia sepium
- Native to:
- Belize, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guam, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Palau, Panamá, Southwest Caribbean
Vengolis
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Gliricidia
- Species:
- Gliricidia sepium
- USDA Symbol:
- GLSE2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Tree
- Height:
- 1200 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jan,feb,mar,apr,may
- Bloom Colors:
- pink, white
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from the stump and root crown after cutting or fire damage.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- fertile, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- thrives in degraded soils and can improve soil fertility
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Scarification of the hard seed coat greatly improves germination. Seeds germinate readily in warm conditions after treatment.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
Pre-treatment: For seeds, soaking overnight in cool water will cause them to swell and hasten germination. For cuttings, the lower portion is usually 'wounded' using a knife or clippers to make a few small incisions in the bark to promote rooting.
Establishment: Gliricidia is highly variable in form and productivity. Superior provenances such as Retalhuleu should be sought out for propagation. Seed pods are collected when brown and ripe, but before they are dry enough to curl and release their seeds. Cuttings can be taken any time of year, ideally when the new growth is appearing, usually at the onset of the rainy season.
Source: npn.rngr.net