Important Trees of Haiti

9 Tavello
Species: Lysiloma sabicu Benth.
Synonyms: Acacia latisiliqua Willd., L. latisiliqua Benth., Mimosa latisiliqua L.
Family: Fabaceae (= Leguminosae) Subfamily: Mimosoideae
Common Names: H - tabemon (tabeno), taverneau (taveno), tavemon; RD - caracoli,
caracolillo; C - abey, bacona morada, frijolillo, jigiie, sabicu, sabicu amarillo, zapatero;
J, PR - horseflesh tree, West Indian sabicu, wild tamarind.
Importance: As one ofHaiti's premier timber trees, this species has suffered extensive
exploitation in its native range. It is well-adapted to a wide range of sites and is a hardy
survivor of the shallow limestone soils common to the low-elevation mountains. The
spreading canopy casts a light shade and, with its ability to fix nitrogen, makes L. sabicu
a natural selection for agroforestry systems.
Taxonomy and Botanical Features: Two species of Lysiloma occur on the island of
Hispaniola (Liogier, 1985). L. sabicu is the larger tree, up to 20 m tall and distinguished
by 3-7 leaflet pairs, oval to obvoid and 1-2 cm long, with a glabrous calyx at the base
of the petiole. L. bahamensis is a shorter tree up to 15 m, with 10-33 leaflet pairs,
oblong to lanceolate, 8-15 rnm long, with a pubescent calyx. The latter species is reported
to occur along the northern coast of Haiti, from Port-de-Paix to Fort Liberte.
Distribution and Ecology: Lysiloma is chiefly a Mexican genus, extending into Central
America, the southernmost parts ofthe United States, and the GreaterAntilles. L. sabicu
occurs throughout the subtropical moist forest of Haiti, though local populations are
often scattered and isolated by mountain ranges. It is found mostly on rocky sites of
low-elevation mountains at elevations between 100-750 m with rainfall ranging from
1000-2000 mm. The tree generally occupies well-drained drier sites along with other
pioneer species. The tree is not particularly demanding of soil requirements, thriving on
soils saturated with calcium, and it grows adequately on the shrink swell clays characteristic
of vertisols. It often is found located in wooded fallows, woodlots and along
property boundaries.
Tree Characteristics: Mature trees can reach heights of25 m with stern diameters to I
meter. The stern varies considerably in form and length, with a natural tendancy to fork
low in open conditions. Typically, the tree has a short trunk, about 2-3 meters, though
individuals have been found with sterns free of branches to 10 m (Fig. 9.2). The large
spreading canopy can extend to a diameter of20 m, casting a light shade. A distinct feature
of young trees is the curved single stern that gradually straightens with age. The
light grayish brown bark is shaggy and peels away from mature sterns.
The heartwood is a lustrous brown with a coppery or purplish tinge and is sometimes
faintly striped. Mature sterns have a thin white sapwood that contrasts sharply
with the heartwood. The grain ranges from straight to interlocked. Specific gravity
ranges from 0.58-0.70 with the heartwood considered to be very durable.
Fruiting ofthe species begins in December and peaks during March and April. Seed
production is generally light, with pods containing only 3-4 seeds and attacked heavily
by insects. There are 50,000-55,000 seeds kg-I.
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