Mimosa scabrella

Mimosa scabrella grows fast and belongs to the pea family, Fabaceae. People call it bracatinga, bracaatinga, and abaracaatinga. Its native range spans southern and southeastern Brazil to northeastern Argentina. It grows in upland Araucaria forests, often where woods have regrown. Sources describe its home climate in two ways. Some call it cool subtropical; others call it tropical with dry seasons. It grows wild, and people also plant it.

Most trees reach about 13–39 feet [4–12 metres] tall. Some accounts give heights of 49 feet [15 metres]. Recorded trees reach 66 feet [20 metres]. One garden account gives a spread of 39 feet [12 metres]. A straight trunk holds a broad, round, open crown. Sources differ on how long the tree keeps its leaves. They describe it as deciduous, shedding its leaves, to partly evergreen. The yellow-green leaves are bipinnate: they branch at two levels. White to yellow flowers grow in groups at leaf bases. Bees pollinate the flowers, which cross-pollinate with other trees. The pods hold small brown seeds.

Give this tree full sun and soil that drains well. It grows in sand, loam, or clay, even in poor soil. It accepts acid to neutral soil and pH values near 4.8. It can also grow in soil with high aluminium levels. Moist soil suits it, but standing water does not. Packed soil or ground in very poor condition limits growth. In its range, rain falls through much of the year. Yet it can bear dry spells that last four months. Sources advise against sites with mean yearly temperatures above 23°C. PFAF lists USDA zones 10–12 and notes poor wind tolerance.

This tree fixes nitrogen and helps bring back native woods. Its fallen leaves break down fast and enrich the soil. Growers use it to shade coffee crops in the highlands. Its flowers add value to gardens, and it forms living fences. People also grow it for fuelwood, paper, veneers, and boxes. The wood is hard and fairly heavy but does not last well. The heartwood has a grey-pink cast; the sapwood is pink. Its grain is straight, and its texture is medium.

The supplied sources name no specific pests or diseases. They report no known hazards but do not show food safety. PFAF lists no known uses for food or medicine. Hard seed coats can delay the start of growth. Scarification, which means breaking the seed coat, can help older seeds take up water. Soaking can help them take up water too.