Palo De Hoz
Machaerium lunatum
- Native to:
- Angola, Belize, Benin, Bolivia, Brazil, Cameroon, Colombia, Congo, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, DR Congo, Equatorial Guinea, French Guiana, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guam, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Gulf of Guinea Is., Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Ivory Coast, Leeward Is., Liberia, Mexico, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Panamá, Peru, Puerto Rico, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Suriname, Togo, Trinidad-Tobago, Venezuela, Virgin Islands, Windward Is.
iNaturalist: © msirotkin (iNaturalist #146244299)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Machaerium
- Species:
- Machaerium lunatum
- USDA Symbol:
- MALU2
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree , Vine
- Height:
- 1500 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- jan,feb,mar,apr,may,jun,jul,aug,sep,oct,nov,dec
- Bloom Colors:
- purple, pink
Wildlife Benefits
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, butterflies
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- commonly found in tropical floodplains
Propagation & Germination
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Notes:
- Seeds require scarification (nicking or hot water treatment) to break physical dormancy; germination occurs within 2-4 weeks under warm, moist conditions.