What is a Leopard tree?
Leopard tree, caesalpinia ferrea is a high deciduous tree emerging from Brazil. As the tree ages, the outer bark darkens and often peeled back to reveal white, light brown and green layers below them. The spotted look probably contributed to the commonly used name Leopard Tree. Thanks to its hardness and characteristic display, the tree has become a popular landscape treatment, often used on the streets in urban areas. Other names for the plant include Brazilian iron wood and pau-ferro .
At a maturity, the leopard tree can reach a height of up to 60 feet (18.3 m) with a robust strain that often branches near Earth. At the beginning of their lives, pruning the lower branches at the beginning of their lives will encourage the vertical presentation and force branching to start much higher on the trunk. Over time, a very dense canopy is formed, which provides a shadow under long, charming branches covered with green folded leaves.H with individual elliptical leaflets measuring about 1 inch (2.5 cm).Separation between leaf nodes is distinctive, with measured lengths of up to 3 inches (7.6 cm). Leopard leaves of the tree sometimes fold at night, or when the tree itself suffers damage.
The tree usually blooms at the beginning at the end of spring. Its flowers are yellow with red marks and have a diameter of about 1 inch (2.5 cm). They occur in clusters with individual flowers attached short stems Ekvidistant along the central stem. The flowers do not have to be fully appreciated on the more mature trees, as most flowering occurs near the top, which can be out of easy look. It also produces flat glossy seedpods.
Leopard trees prefer direct sunlight and do best in hot climate, even if they can tolerate some light frosts. The tree has adapted to dry soils with low fertility in its native environment, but benefits in the more enriched soil, Mildly acid to slightly alkaline, with good drainage and mild inby the lyrics. Seed promotion is generally successful, especially if the outer coating is slightly cut. Good results from the use of ripe control together with root hormone were also reported.
The wood of the leopard tree is very dense and durable. It is often used in frames and doors or window frames. The tree is also associated with medicinal properties. In Brazil, tea made of stem was used to treat diabetes. Scientific studies have found that the tree contains potentially useful anti -inflammatory and anti -cancer compounds.