Marimari
Cassia leiandra

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

Found in South America, Marimari or Cassia leiandra, is a small tree of 6-14 m height with usually twisted trunk of around 30 cm in diameter and a wide, spreading crown. Though popular for the acidic-sweet, edible fruit, marimari is also used as an ornamental tree due to its yellow flowers located at the end of branches. The tree is grown from seeds. Found In: Amazon, Brazil, South America. Other Names: Seruia, Inga-mari, Marimari-da-varzea, Fava-marimari.

Cassia leiandra is a deciduous Tree growing to 10 m (32ft) by 10 m (32ft) 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. It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist or wet soil.

Height (m): 10

Where it is found

Forests of the floodplains and seasonally flooded forests near lagoons and canals. Most commonly found in secondary formations.

S. America - eastern and northern Brazil.

Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed.

Countries/locations it is found in

Found In: Amazon, Brazil, South America.

How it is used

Food

Rating: 4

Edible portion: Fruit. Fruit - raw. The acidic-sweet, juicy pulp surrounding the seeds is eaten. The fruit is harvested whilst the seeds are still green. The fruit is a legume 40 - 70cm long and about 3cm wide.

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 2

Other uses rating: Low (2/5). Agroforestry Uses: A natural pioneer species in its native range - it could be used in local reforestation projects. Other Uses The wood is thick-textured, moderately heavy, soft, of low durability and easy to work. It is only used locally, for applications such as internal work in the construction of rustic houses, tool handles, cheap toys, boxes etc.

Pioneer: Plants, usually trees and shrubs, that can be used to reforest land.

Wood: A list of the trees and shrubs that are noted for having useful wood.

Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.

How it is grown

A tropical plant. Prefers a sunny position. Often found in the wild on heavy, wet, clay soils. Plants are tolerant of seasonal inundation of the soil. A fast-growing plant. Sometimes cultivated as a fruit tree.

Propagating it: Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe. The seed has a hard seedcoat and may benefit from scarification before sowing to speed up 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. Sow in a sunny position in a nursery seedbed. Germination should take place within 2 - 4 weeks. Young seedlings grow quickly.

Best place to grow:

Habit: Tree

Hardiness: 9-11

Growth: Fast

Soil: Medium, heavy (clay)

Shade: No shade

Moisture: Moist, wet

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

Marimari or Cassia leiandra.Other Names: Seruia, Inga-mari, Marimari-da-varzea, Fava-marimari.

Synonyms

Cassia moschata Benth.