Swamp macawood
Platymiscium pinnatum

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A tall tree. The trunk is straight. Large trees have small round buttresses. The leaves are opposite. They have an odd number of leaflets. There are 5-7 opposite leaflets. The flowers are yellow. The fruit is a large winged seed.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It can grow in dry and moist areas.

Countries/locations it is found in

Amazon, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Central America, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, North America, Panama, Peru, South America, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela

How it is used for food

Corn is roasted in these leaves to have added flavour.

Edible parts

Leaves - flavour

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Cachimbo, Caoba, Coyote, Cristobal, Chagane, Estoraque, Guayacan, Guira, Hormigo, Manicillo blanco, Quira macawood, Macacauba, Roble, Sangrillo, Tajibillo, Taraja amarilla, Tarara, Tasajo, Trebol, Vencola

Synonyms

Amerimnon pinnatum Jacq.; Lonchocarpus amerimnum DC.; Platymiscium cochabambense Rusby; Platymiscium dubium Pittier; Platymiscium polystachyum Benth. ex Seem.; Platymiscium polystachyum var. fendleri Benth.; Platymiscium urophyllum Harms;