Plants
earpod tree
Enterolobium contortisiliquum (Vell.) Morong
Family: Fabaceae · Genus: Enterolobium
monkey-ear tree
Large nitrogen-fixing leguminous tree native to the Atlantic Forest and Cerrado. EcoAgri lists it in the emergent stratum of the '> 50 years' bin. Ear-shaped pods contain saponin-rich seeds (natural soap).
Götsch succession
- Götsch stage
- Climax
- Ecological role
- Climax
- Primary stratum
- Emergent
- Strata
- Emergent, High
- Biomass class
- Fertilizer biomass
Environment
- Light requirement
- Full sun
- Water requirement
- Moderate
- Drought tolerance
- High
- Soil pH range
- 5.6–6.5
- Preferred soil texture
- Loamy, Clayey
Morphology
- Mature height
- 20–35 m
- Root system
- Lateral
- Root depth
- Deep
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Lifespan
- ≥ 80 years
Biomes & climate
- Atlantic Forest Native
- Cerrado Native
- Pantanal Native
Köppen classes
Where it fits in a guild
Earpod tree takes the Emergent stratum in the Climax 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. It also fixes nitrogen, feeding the soil for its line neighbors.
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❓ Frequently asked questions
How tall does earpod tree grow?
At maturity, earpod tree reaches 20–35 m tall.
What stage and stratum does earpod tree occupy in a syntropic system?
In a syntropic system, earpod tree belongs to the climax stage, occupying the emergent stratum.
Does earpod tree fix nitrogen?
Yes — earpod tree is a nitrogen-fixing species that helps fertilize the system's soil.
Functions
Propagation
Seed
Citations
- EcoAgri — Organização de algumas espécies vegetais por tempo de vida (placentas) e estrato (Cartilha 'Liberdade e Vida com Agrofloresta') , p. 6 (primary_stratum, gotsch_stage)
- ITTO Tropical Timber — Tamboril (Enterolobium contortisiliquum) (height_min_m, height_max_m)
- EarthOne / CABI — Enterolobium contortisiliquum cultivation (pH, propagation, soil) (ph_min, ph_max, propagation, soil_texture_preference, drought_tolerance)
- GBIF — Enterolobium contortisiliquum (Vell.) Morong (accepted, key 2961170) (external_ids)
External references
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