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açoita-cavalo

Luehea divaricata Mart. & Zucc.

Family: Malvaceae · Genus: Luehea

Secondary II High Mulch biomass
Jean Carlo Mari Fanton · CC BY · iNaturalist

Semi-deciduous native tree of southern Brazil, typical of riparian forests and secondary growth. A forestry species of the Embrapa Vitrine SAF, planted after year 2 to fill gaps among the main forest species.

Götsch succession

Götsch stage
Secondary II
Ecological role
Late secondary
Primary stratum
High
Strata
High, Emergent
Biomass class
Mulch biomass

Environment

Light requirement
Full sun
Water requirement
Moderate
Drought tolerance
Moderate
Waterlogging tolerance
Moderate

Morphology

Mature height
10–25 m
Root system
Taproot
Growth rate
Moderate

Biomes & climate

Köppen classes

Where it fits in a guild

Açoita-cavalo takes the High stratum in the Secondary II phase of succession — in a guild it shares the line with species from the other strata, each harvesting light at its own height, in its own time.

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Emergent High · ≈25 m Medium Low Ground cover

🪴 Cultivation

A fast-growing deciduous pioneer typical of riparian and gallery forests — tolerant of moist and periodically waterlogged soils. Pink-and-yellow flowers pollinated by bees (Apis mellifera) and hummingbirds. Reproduction begins around age 2. Winged wind-dispersed seeds; recommended for restoring degraded and riparian areas.

📅 Phenology

Flowering months: December, January, February, March

Fruiting months: April, May, June, July, August

❓ Frequently asked questions

How tall does açoita-cavalo grow?

At maturity, açoita-cavalo reaches 10–25 m tall.

When does açoita-cavalo fruit?

Fruiting of açoita-cavalo occurs in April, May, June, July, August.

When does açoita-cavalo flower?

Flowering of açoita-cavalo occurs in December, January, February, March.

What stage and stratum does açoita-cavalo occupy in a syntropic system?

In a syntropic system, açoita-cavalo belongs to the secondary ii stage, occupying the high stratum.

Functions

Timber Medicinal 🍯 Melliferous

Propagation

Seed

Citations

  1. Armando, Bueno, Alves & Cavalcante (2002) — Agrofloresta para Agricultura Familiar (Embrapa Circular Técnica 16), Tabela 1 , p. 3 (gotsch_stage, primary_stratum)
  2. Embrapa Florestas — Açoita-Cavalo (Luehea divaricata), Circular Técnica 147 (growth_rate, height_min_m, height_max_m, propagation, cultivation_notes)
  3. Biologia da Paisagem — Luehea divaricata (açoita-cavalo) (phenology, growth_rate, cultivation_notes, waterlogging_tolerance)

External references

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