Yellow tarara
Centrolobium microchaete

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

Endemic to Bolivia, in Chiquitano forest; and Brazil . It is threatened by habitat loss .

Centrolobium microchaete 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 can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

Height (m): 20

Where it is found

Atlantic rainforest, favouring gentle slopes where the drainage is good and the soils are fertile.

S. America - eastern Brazil, Bolivia.

Conservation Status: This taxon has not yet been assessed but there is some indication it is vulnerable.

Countries/locations it is found in

How it is used

Food

Rating: 0

Medicine

Rating: 0

Other

Rating: 4

Other uses rating: High (4/5). Other Uses: The heartwood is a red-orange, though it varies in its colour; the sapwood is yellowish. The texture is fine to medium; the grain straight to irregular; lustre is medium to bright; there is a peculiar aroma but no distinctive taste. The wood is heavy, hard, with moderate mechanical properties and very durable, especially if kept dry. It is used for making fine furniture; laminate sheets for decorative panels; lathe work; flooring blocks; railway sleepers; and is also used for fence posts, especially in marshy areas.

Fencing: Plants that can be used for fencing.

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

Succeeds in full sun to moderate shade. Prefers a well-drained, fertile soil. Established plants are drought tolerant. Young plants have a fast rate of growth. 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 - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a partially shaded position in a nursery seedbed or in individual containers. A high germination rate can be expected, with the seed sprouting within 30 - 40 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: Semi-shade, no shade

Moisture: Dry, moist

Things to keep in mind

Its other names

Local names

ÊYellow tarara

Synonyms

Centrolobium robustum microchaete Mart. ex Benth.