Fine leaf tree - Pentaclethra macroloba
Description and Uses
Pentaclethra macroloba (Fine leaf tree) is a tropical tree from Amazone. It is mainly grown for its oil crops (long shelflife), but also Other uses include; cosmetics, fuel, nut, oil, ornamental, poison herbicide, tannin and timber can be produced. The crop is harvested by ground gathering. It starts flowering after 2 - 5 years. The seed/nut is edible. Medical uses include; it is medically used as anti heart failures. The seed/nut contains behenic acid (19%/oil - 20%/oil). There is Pracaxi oil extracted by expeller pressing from the tree`s seed/nut yielding 45 - 48% oil. The tree`s wood is called pracaxi wood and has a density of 750 - 850 kg/m³. Regarding firewood production the tree`s growing speed is fast, its energetic value is 4900 ckal/kg and the wood`s drying speed is medium; for firewood production it is not ideal. After 70 years the tree can be totally removed as it reached its commercial and ecological goal. Pentaclethra macroloba has a lifespan of 350 years.
Environmental limitations
The tree is 38 meters tall. It is fast growing and tolerates not less light than shade tolerant. Pentaclethra macroloba has a deep root-system and forms symbiotic relations Glomus hoi,Glomus intraradices,Glomus mosseae (endo-mycorrhiza). It is able to fix nitrogen with Rhizobiaceae bacteria. The tree`s flower-morphology is hermaphroditic and is pollinated by insects.
Pentaclethra macroloba thrives in an altitude of 0 to 600 meters above sea-level (tropical). The minimum temperature is 10°C and optimally between 20 - 35°C. The optimal rainfall is 5500 mm/year. Without irrigation the annual rainfall should be between 2500 - 6000 mm (L/m²). The optimal soil-pH is between 4.0 - 6.0 in a soil texture of water. To salt it is intolerant to wind intolerant and to fire intolerant.
Pests and Diseases
is susceptible to Sematura luna as pest and there are no significant diseases diseases.
Seed Propagation
Seeds are intermediate and can be stored for 1 months. There are approximative 300 seeds/kg. The seeds can be propagated as followed: (1) Store harvested seeds in water or in the fruit at room temperature, (3) Remove the seeds from cold to a permanent warm temperature., (3) Seeds germinate above ground (epigeous)
