Legumes, Milkworts, and Allies of Zihuatanejo

ORDER FABALES

-Legumes (Family Fabaceae)

-Subfamily Faboideae

-Tribe Robinieae

-Genus Gliricidia

-Fence Post Tree (Gliricidia sepium)

Gliricidia is a small, rapidly growing, and thornless tree with bright pink flowers. Gliricidia is native to the seasonally dry Pacific coast of Central America. It is one of the commonest and best-known trees in Central America and now has a pantropical distribution cultivated in villages, farms, backyards and along fence lines, paddy bunds, roadsides and terrace boundaries.

Description

• Gliricidia sepium, commonly known as madre de cacao, quickstick, or Mexican lilac, is a medium-sized, deciduous tree in the legume family (Fabaceae). It has a spreading crown and pinnate leaves composed of numerous small, oval leaflets. Its showy flowers grow in clusters along the branches and are usually pink to lilac, sometimes with pale or white markings. The flowers are followed by flattened, brown seed pods that split open when mature. The tree is widely planted for living fences, shade, fodder, and green manure because its roots can associate with nitrogen-fixing bacteria.

Range

• Gliricidia sepium is native to Mexico and Central America and has been introduced widely throughout tropical regions of the world. It is commonly cultivated in tropical Mexico for agricultural and ornamental purposes. It is native to Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, and the surrounding area.

Habitat

• Madre de cacao grows in tropical dry forests, woodland edges, scrub, pastures, and disturbed areas. It thrives in warm, sunny conditions and tolerates seasonal drought once established. It grows in a range of well-drained soils and is frequently planted along roads, property boundaries, and agricultural fields, where it can be managed by regular pruning.