Barbasco, timbo, cube
Lonchocarpus nicou

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

Barbasco or Lonchocarpus nicou is an important source of rotenone, an organic insecticide. It is an evergreen, erect shrub that produces woody stems that enable the plant to climb into other plants for support. It is commonly found within Northern South America and grown in small gardens or fields. It is propagated by cuttings.

Lonchocarpus nicou is an evergreen Climber growing to 10 m (32ft) by 2 m (6ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. It can fix Nitrogen. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils and can grow in very acid soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

Height (m): 10

Where it is found

Not known

Northern S. America - Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela and the Guyanas.

Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed

Countries/locations it is found in

Peru; Colombia; French Guiana

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 4

Agroforestry Uses: The plants are grown in small gardens or fields, often in crop mixtures with cassava, beans or corn. Other Uses The roots contain 0.75 - 1% rotenone, which can be used as an insecticide. The rotenone content of the roots (ranging from 5 - 15%, with some clones yielding 20%) is greater than that of the related Lonchocarpus urucu (which ranges from 4 - 11%). This, however, is somewhat balanced by the fact that the overall yield of roots is higher for Lonchocrpus urucu.

Insecticide: Kills insects.

Nitrogen Fixer: Plants that fix nitrogen in the soil

How it is grown

A plant of the moist tropics where it is found at elevations from near sea level to 1,340 metres. It grows best in areas where the mean annual temperature ranges from 23 - 32°c, but can tolerate 15 - 41°c. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 2,300 - 2,700mm, but tolerates 2,000 - 3,100mm, and is found in areas with all year round rainfall and also where there is a distinct dry season. Succeeds in full sun and in dappled shade. Young plants benefit from some shade, while older plants make more vigorous growth in full light. Grows best in a medium soil that is rich in organic matter, but also succeeds in heavier soils. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 6.5, but can tolerate 5 - 7. The first harvest of the stems can be made when the plants are 2 - 3 years old from cuttings. The roots are usually harvested during the dry season. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby.

Propagating it: Seed - seldom produced by the plants. Cuttings.

Best place to grow:

Habit: Climber

Hardiness: 10-12

Growth: Medium

Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Moist

Things to keep in mind

The plant is used as a fish poison.

Its other names

Local names

barbasco - English, cube - English, timbo - English, nicou - French, barbasco - Spanish.

Synonyms

Derris nicou (Aubl.) J.F.Macbr. Robinia nicou Aubl.