| DESCRIPTION: Small to medium sized leguminous tree reaching 5-18 m in height with an open spreading crown. Considerable diversity in morphology. Leaves bipinnate with 11-22 (5-30) pairs of pinnae, variable in length up to 35 cm. Flowers are variable in colour, pinkish-grey to rose pink or occasionally pale violet. Pods 7-11 cm x 13-23 mm, glossy reddish-green or maroon. USE: The edible pods are used in time of need. Trees are commonly retained in cropping lands and has been used as a shade over coffee, generally in frost-free highland-tropical locations. Has been extensively evaluated in agronomic and, to a lesser extent, in animal production trials. GROWING PERIOD: Perennial. COMMON NAMES: Guaje. FURTHER INF: Found through out Mexico and Central America typically between 700-2000 m in elevation. Occurs in frost-free climates with average annual temperatures from 17-22ºC and is poorly adapted to high temperature environments. Its native range receives 1000-1800 mm annual rainfall and has a wide range of soils from limestone-based vertisols to mildly acid infertile alfisols. Grows under pine forests and is therefore likely to possess shade tolerance. |