Gliricidia

Product: Gliricidia

Product type: SEED ()

Botanical name: Gliricidia sepium

Syn.: Syn. Mexican Lilac, Madre De Cacao

Gliricidia is a thornless, spreading, tropical legume tree that produces masses of attractive white & pink flowers which are a good source of nectar for bees. It is only suited to frost-free areas & is ideal as a shade tree for crops such as coffee, vanilla & tea, the foliage is rich in nitrogen & can be cut as mulch. It can also be used as firewood or for a living fence as it is easily propagated by cuttings. Variable success as an animal forage; nutritious for cattle but toxic to horses & other animals.

Plant type: Semi-deciduous tree

Plant height: 10m high

Sow when: Germinate best above 25°C soil temp.

Temperate: Unlikely to do well

Subtropical: Late spring

Tropical: During the wet season,

Germination: Soaking seeds overnight in hot water will improve germination

Depth: Sow seed 2cm deep into a seed raising mix

Position: Full sun to partial shade

Sow where: Into seedling trays; prick out into forestry tubes for later transplanting; liquid feed once germinated

Soil type: Tolerant of wide range of soil types but prefer good drainage

Details: Transplant into moist ground