If in the Old Continent we have many and very interesting trees, on the other side of the pond they are not far behind either. Now, it is also true that when you really like these types of plants, you usually admire all the species. But of course, in the world there are many different climates, and if you live in a rather warm area you may be interested in, for example, the guamuchil tree.
It has a fairly fast growth rate, and produces a wide canopy under which you can protect yourself from direct sun. In addition, its fruits are edible. Would you like to meet him?
Origin and characteristics
Our protagonist is a evergreen and thorny tree native to Mexico, Central and South America whose scientific name is Pithecellobium dulce. It is popularly known as gallinero, finzán, chiminango, gina, payandé, guamuchil tree or simply guamúchil. It grows to a height between 5 and 22 meters high, and has a short trunk 30 to 75cm in diameter, with smooth light gray bark.
The branches are thin and languid, and covered by bipinate compound leaves with four oblong leaflets. The flowers are grouped in panicle-shaped inflorescences 5 to 30cm long, and are lightly scented. The fruit is a thin pod up to 20cm long by 10-15mm wide, and inside there are seeds 7 to 12mm long., ovoid flattened, dark in color. These fruits are edible, and also medicinal since they have astringent and antiparasitic properties.
What are their cares?
If you want to have a specimen of a guamuchil tree, we recommend that you provide it with the following care:
- Location: outside, in full sun.
- Earth:
- Pot: universal growing substrate, but it is a plant that cannot be in a container for many years.
- Garden: it grows in all types of soils, although it prefers those that have good drainage.
- Irrigation: 2-3 times a week in summer, and every 4-5 days the rest of the year.
- Subscriber: in spring and summer with ecological fertilizers, once a month.
- Multiplication: by seeds in spring.
- Rusticity: withstands cold and weak frosts down to -1ºC.
What did you think of the guamuchil tree?
Hello, I would like to know where to get and how to order the guamuchil tree
A Hug
My guamuchil is 4 years old, I have it in a container or large pot. and the question is, because it does not give flowers and fruit (bainas) I live in California, stanilao county
Hi Milton.
It may be that it is young, that the pot has become too small (you will know this if you see that the roots come out from underneath, or if it has been in it for more than 2 years) and / or that it needs fertilizer 🙂.
The change of pot has to be done in spring, and the fertilizer throughout the year, except when temperatures drop below 15ºC.
If you have questions, contact us.
Greetings.
I live in solitude, Atlantic, Colombia I have one planted on the terrace of my house and lately it secretes a very sweet transparent liquid that falls like a serene causing the terrace of my house to look wet all the time and it is also causing flies to arrive Additionally, it has a very small green insect on its branches that has a thorn on its back.
What I just described is bad for the tree? I really don't like it. What could I do to prevent this from happening?
Hi Ronny.
I might have gumIn the link you have more information.
A greeting.