Hard leaved tarara
Centrolobium sclerophyllum
Family: Fabaceae
What it is like
Found in South America, Centrolobium sclerophyllum is a semi-deciduous fast-growing tree that grows up to 30 m tall with a trunk diameter of up to 70 cm. It has an upright and light crown, and straight and cylindrical trunk. The wood is attractive and used in making furniture, veneer, flooring, posts, etc. S. America - eastern and northeastern Brazil.
Centrolobium sclerophyllum is a deciduous Tree growing to 20 m (65ft) by 15 m (49ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The flowers are pollinated by Insects. It can fix Nitrogen. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.
Height (m): 20
Where it is found
Atlantic rainforest and semi-arid forest, occasional in the dense, primary formations but often quite plentiful in more open, secondary formations; favouring well-drained soils.
S. America - eastern and northeastern Brazil.
Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed.
Countries/locations it is found in
S. America - eastern and northeastern Brazil.
How it is used
Food
Rating: 0
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating: 4
Other uses rating: High (4/5). Agroforestry Uses: A fast-growing tree that is tolerant of full sun, probably fixes atmospheric nitrogen and has a sparse crown, it can be used as a pioneer for restoring native woodland and also for establishing woodland gardens. Other Uses The wood is medium-textured, straight-grained, heavy, with dark streaks and highly resistant to insect attacks. An attractive wood, it is used for making furniture, veneer, lathe work, parquet flooring and also for external purposes such as railway sleepers and posts.
Furniture: A few miscellaneous uses that do not fit easily into other headings.
Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.
Nitrogen Fixer: Plants that fix nitrogen in the soil
How it is grown
Grows best in a sunny position. Requires a well-drained soil. Established plants are drought tolerant. Young plants have a rapid rate of growth.
Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a partially shaded position in a nursery seedbed. A high germination rate can usually be expected, with the seed sprouting within 20 - 30 days. Like many species within the family Fabaceae, once they have been dried for storage the seeds of this species may benefit from scarification before sowing in order to speed up and improve germination. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water. By this time they should have imbibed moisture and swollen - if they have not, then carefully make a nick in the seedcoat (being careful not to damage the embryo) and soak for a further 12 hours before sowing.
Best place to grow:
Habit: Tree
Hardiness: 10-12
Growth: Fast
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Dry, moist
Things to keep in mind
Its other names
Local names
Centrolobium sclerophyllum or Hard leaved tarara
Synonyms
No synonyms are recorded for this name.