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Tree Species (Scientific Name)

Margaritaria nobilis

Tree Family

Phyllanthaceae

Average Leaf Size (cm)

10.5cm

Length

3.75cm

Width

Tree Height

Small (10–20m)

Elevational Range (m)

1200–1300m

Distribution

Native

Exotic

Native to Peru

Native to

Region

Americas

Latin America

Argentina, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Venezuela

Coffee Agroforestry Information

Coffee System

Arabica

Coffee Impact

Beneficial to coffee

Prevalence

Not Common in Coffee Agroforestry

Cultivation

Planted

Natural

Tree Management

Planted by seeds. Plant fresh seeds in a partially shaded nursery. Usually, a high germination rate can be expected, and the seeds sprout within a few weeks. When the seedlings are between 4 and 5 cm high, plant them in individual containers. They will be ready to plant outside about 4 to 5 months later. The production of fruits (4-10 seeds each) is abundant and they are collected from the tree with a stick. They are left to open in the sun or can be opened manually. The seeds (approx. 17,800 per kg) are inside bluish cavities that must be broken manually to extract them. The seeds have a prolonged dormancy period. The collection of seedlings of natural regeneration and growing them in the nursery could be an alternative for their reproduction. Growth in nursery is very fast and seedlings can reach 25-30 cm in height in a time of 2-3 months. Requires full sun during initial development and has a low incidence of pests.

Tree Benefits and Uses

Farmer Uses

Firewood
Lumber
Ornamental
Product

Used to make boxes, fence posts, and toys.

Farm Services

Coffee Shade
Soil Improvement
Reforestation

Coffee Shade: provides medium to dense shade
Soil Improvement: loses leaves completely in the dry season, which helps the recycling of nutrients

Biodiversity Benefits

Yes

Its seeds are preferred by parrots, tanagers, euphonias, and saltators. The cracked bark of the trunk houses many insects that are sought after by woodcreepers and others such as vireos, greenlets, cuckoos, tyrants, and warblers.

Citations

Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2022-06-22. tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Margaritaria+nobilis;

WFO (2022): Margaritaria nobilis L.f. Accessed on: 24 Jun 2022. Published on the Internet http://www.worldfloraonline.org/taxon/wfo-0000236325;

Plants of the World Online POWO (2022). "Plants of the World Online. Facilitated by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Published on the Internet http://www.plantsoftheworldonline.org;

Román, Francisco, et al. Guía para la propagación de 120 especies de árboles nativos de Panamá y el neotrópico. 2012.;

Mendoza, A. L. M., & Guerrero, M. H. (2010). Catálogo de los árboles y afines de la Selva Central del Perú. Arnaldoa, 17, 203-242.