MACLURA TINCTORIA

POPULAR NAMES: AMORA BRANCA, TAIUVA, TATAJUBA, TAJUBA, DRYER'S MULBERRY

MORACEAE

 

 

 

INDIGENOUS NAME: Taiúva comes from the Tupi guarani and  means "tree of yellow milk" since both the fruit and the trunk and injured branches exude a yellow latex.

Origin: Various forest formations, from Mexico to southeastern Brazil, Bolivia, Argentina and Paraguay.  

Characteristics: Large-sized tree, growing to 8 to 15 meters high. The trunk is yellowish and exudes yellow milk when cutten. The new branches have thorns and pointed leaves have serrated margins. The flowers are diocious, occur on separate trees, it's necessary to plant three specimens to get the production of fruit that is only at female specimens.

Planted in the site of Frutas Raras: October 2004, flowering and fruiting has not yet occurred.

Tips for planting: Tree of rapid growth and which develops in any soil with good natural fertility. Can be grown throughout Brazil, because it resists the frosts to -3°C (27°F) and not very long drought. It occurs even in stony soil.

Propagation: The seeds are tiny and rapidly lose their germinative power. It is better to plant the seed and then transplant the seedlings into individual pots. The germination occurs in 30 to 45 days, and the seedlings grow faster, enjoy shaded environment for forming. The fruit begins in the age of 4 to 6 years, depending on soil and cultural treatments.

Planting: Can be planted in full sun or mixed for use in reforestation of timber and fruit to feed various birds. In the garden a plant space of 7 x 7 m (23 x 23 feet) is recommended. Give into deep holes enough organic matter. Water with 10 l of water per week during the first 2 months and cover the surface of the soil with dry grass or sawdust to keep the humidity.

Cultivating: Make only forming pruning of the crown and remove branches that were grown from the base of the trunk, if you want to grow the tree or if you prefer to produce a rounded crown, can remove the terminal bud when the plant is under 2.50 m (8 1/3 feet) of pruning height and made of modeling. Fertilize with organic compost, can be  (6 liters) poultry litter + 50 g of NPK 10-10-10 doubling that amount every year until the 4th year.

Uses: The ripe fruits acquire a greenish yellow color, very sweet, with strong taste and delicate. Can be consumed in-kind and in the form of juices and sweets.

Flowering in the site of Frutas Raras: October and November for native specimens.

Fruiting in the site of Frutas Raras: December and January for native specimens.

 

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