Tree Species (Scientific Name)
Margaritaria nobilis
Firewood
Lumber
Ornamental
Product
Peru Common Name
Loro micuna, Palo merongue
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
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
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.