Mimosa scabrellais a tree in the familyFabaceae.It is very fast-growing and it can reach a height of 15 m (49 ft) tall in only 3 years.[2]Its trunk is about 0.1–0.5 m (3.9–19.7 in) in diameter.[3]It has yellow flowers.[4]
| Mimosa scabrella | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Subfamily: | Caesalpinioideae |
| Clade: | Mimosoid clade |
| Genus: | Mimosa |
| Species: | M. scabrella
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| Binomial name | |
| Mimosa scabrella | |
| Synonyms | |
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Biology
editMimosa scabrella(Bracatinga) is a tree in the subfamilyMimosoideaeof the familyFabaceae.It is a cross-pollinating, mostly tetraploid plant with 52 chromosomes.
Mimosa scabrellais native to the southern region of Brazil. There it grows naturally in associations called “Bracatingais”. TheCerradozone is a centre of biodiversity ofMimosa,where about one quarter of allMimosaspecies are found. HoweverM. scabrellaevolved to grow in colder humid weather south from this region, in a sub-type ofAtlantic Forest,called "mixed ombrophilous forest" (also known asAraucaria moist forests).[5]
It is one of the fastest growing trees in the world. Within 14 monthsMimosa scabrellagrows up to 5 m (16 ft), in 2 years it reaches 8–9 m (26–30 ft), and in 3 years it can grow to a height of 15 m (49 ft).[6]
Characterization
editThe plant is characterized by quick growth, with a lean trunk of around 10–50 cm (3.9–19.7 in) in diameter. The leaves are bi-pinnate. Each leaf has severalpinna,which again have 15–31 pairs ofpinnules.The upper side of the leaves is yellow-green coloured with a paler underneath.
The flowers with ovary, narrow and slenderpistilsare ordered in clusters of 1–3 at the leaf bases. They are colored in a whitish to yellow color. Split-open pods are flattened, 2–4 mm (0.079–0.157 in) wide and 5–9 mm (0.20–0.35 in) long. They are covered with tiny warts and separated into 2–4 segments. Each segment is 4-angeled and 1-seeded. Theseedsare little, brown, beanlike and about 3–6 mm (0.12–0.24 in) long. The dominant reproductive system is anallogamy(cross-pollinating) system. The reproductive age ofM. scabrellais reached after around 3 years.[5][6]
Uses
editBecause of the abundant flowering and presence of honeydew caused byCochinealinfestation in some altitudes the tree has an important place in honey production, especially in Brazil. Its wood is suitable for firewood and can also be used as lumber. Before the advent of thediesel locomotive,M. scabrellawood was grown to fuel railroads in parts ofBrazil.[3]The long fibres are used for paper production.
InagroforestryM. scabrellashades coffee plants. It is also used inintercroppingsystems in association with maize and beans. BecauseM. scabrellais alegumetree it doesn't need fertilization and with thedecompositionof the leaves, big amounts ofnitrogenbecome available for other plants. BecauseM. scabrellahas beautiful “feather” leaves, it is often used as an ornamental tree or live fence.
Because of its fast growth its often used forreforestationmanagement.[6]
Alkaloids
editMimosa scabrellacontains thealkaloidstryptamine,N-methyltryptamine,N,N-dimethyltryptamineandN-methyltetrahydrocarbolinein its bark.[7]
Cultivation
editMimosa scabrellacan be grown at altitudes of 200–2,400 m (660–7,870 ft) with an annual mean temperature between 12 and 23 °C (54 and 73 °F). The annualprecipitationshould reach from 600 to 3,500 mm (24 to 138 in). The soil should be well drained. Acid soils withpHas low as 4.8 and soils with highaluminumcontent are tolerated. Waterlogged, compacted or severely degraded soils are not suitable forM. scabrella.Dry periods of up to four months can be tolerated.Mimosa scabrellais susceptible to strong winds.
AlthoughM. scabrellais native toBrazil,it is cultivated in many South American, some African and South European countries. In its native range, some 28 species of insects are reported to attackM. scabrella.[6]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^"Mimosa scabrella".Germplasm Resources Information Network.Agricultural Research Service,United States Department of Agriculture.Retrieved2008-04-19.
- ^ "Mimosa scabrella".www.hort.purdue.edu.Retrieved2008-04-19.
- ^ab"Species Information".www.worldagroforestrycentre.org. Archived fromthe originalon 2011-09-30.Retrieved2008-04-27.
- ^ "SysTax - detailed information on Mimosa scabrella Benth".www.biologie.uni-ulm.de.Retrieved2008-05-05.
- ^abDahmer, N; Schifino-Wittmann, M T; Guerra, D; Weiler, R L (2013). "Bracatinga(Mimosa scabrella Bentham), a multipurpose tree growing in Southern Brazil: chromosome number and genetic variation ".Genet Resour Crop Evol.60:377–383.doi:10.1007/s10722-012-9931-6.S2CID6869406.
- ^abcdOrwa C,A Muta, Kindt R, Jamnads R,S Anthony. 209 Agroforestry Database: a tree reference and selection guide version 4.0 (http://www.worldagroforestry.org/treedb/AFTPDFS/Mimosa_scabrella.pdf) http://www.worldagroforestry.org/treedb/AFTPDFS/Mimosa_scabrella.pdf
- ^ Hegnauer, R. (1996-07-30).Google Book Search.ISBN9783764351656.Retrieved2008-05-07.
External links
edit
Media related toMimosa scabrellaat Wikimedia Commons- Mimosa scabrella(www.worldagroforestry.org)
- Mimosa scabrella(Purdue University)
- Mimosa scabrella(www.winrock.org)
