Kakawate (Gliricidia sepium) Which my supplier calls Sakura? Is often simply referred to as Gliricidia. Iit is commonly known as "Madreado" in Honduras; Kakawate in the Philippines; Madre Cacao or Madre de Cacao in the Philippines and Guatemala; and Madero negro in Nicaragua), is a medium size leguminous tree belonging to the family Fabaceae. It is considered as the second most important multi-purpose legume tree, surpassed only by Leucaena leucocephala.
Kakawate is a medium-sized tree and can grow to from 30 to 40 feet high. The bark is smooth and its color can range from a whitish gray to deep red-brown. It has composite leaves that can be 12 inches long. Each leaf is composed of leaflets that are about 3/4 to 2 3/4 inches long and 3/8 to 1 1/4 inches wide. The flowers are located on the end of branches that have no leaves. These flowers have a bright pink to lilac color that is tinged with white. A pale yellow spot is usually at the flower's base. The tree's fruit is a pod which is about 4 to 6 inches in length. It is green when unripe and becomes yellow-brown when it reaches maturity. The pod produces 4 to 10 round brown seeds . The tree grows well in acidic soils with a pH of 4.5-6.2. The tree is found on volcanic soils in its native range in Central America and Mexico. However, it can also grow on sandy, clay and limestone soils.
The tree is used in many tropical and sub-tropical countries for various purposes such as live fencing, fodder, coffee shade, firewood.
Kakawate is a medium-sized tree and can grow to from 30 to 40 feet high. The bark is smooth and its color can range from a whitish gray to deep red-brown. It has composite leaves that can be 12 inches long. Each leaf is composed of leaflets that are about 3/4 to 2 3/4 inches long and 3/8 to 1 1/4 inches wide. The flowers are located on the end of branches that have no leaves. These flowers have a bright pink to lilac color that is tinged with white. A pale yellow spot is usually at the flower's base. The tree's fruit is a pod which is about 4 to 6 inches in length. It is green when unripe and becomes yellow-brown when it reaches maturity. The pod produces 4 to 10 round brown seeds . The tree grows well in acidic soils with a pH of 4.5-6.2. The tree is found on volcanic soils in its native range in Central America and Mexico. However, it can also grow on sandy, clay and limestone soils.
The tree is used in many tropical and sub-tropical countries for various purposes such as live fencing, fodder, coffee shade, firewood.