AgroForestryTree Database
Tabebuia donnell-smithii
 Species identityEcology and distributionPropagation and managementFunctional usesPests and diseasesAdditional InfoBibliographyImages |
Species identity
TaxonomySynonym(s)
Common names
(English) : gold tree, primavera
Botanic description
Tabebuia donnell-smithii is a large tree, main trunk almost always of good form, growing straight for 7-13 m, even when open grown; buttresses and fluting often occur in large trees; branchlets terete to subtetragonal. Leaves simple, 1-foliolate or digitately 3-7-foliolate; leaflets mostly with simple trichomes. Flowers bright yellow, 2-2.5 cm wide, in clusters at branch ends. Calyx thin, membranous, of the same texture as the corolla; inflorescence with the central rachis well developed. Anthers glabrous, the thecae straight, divaricate, included or sub-exserted. Ovary linear-oblong, often more or less lepidote; ovules 2-multiseriate in each locule; disk annular-pulvinate to short-cupular. Pods 25-50 cm long, straight, pendulous, brown, dehiscent. Seeds thin, flat, surrounded by a papery wing.
Ecology and distribution
Natural HabitatT. donnell-smithii grows on alluvial terraces and lower colluvial slopes in forests dominated by Terminalia oblonga or Virola guatemalensis and in the Pacific semi deciduous forests. The species is a pioneer and habitually seeds in abandoned farmland, disturbed areas and roadsides in its native range. Also found in rather seasonally moist, non-flooded lowland forests.
Geographic distribution
Native : Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico
Exotic : Costa Rica, Puerto Rico
Biophysical limitsAltitude: 0-1 000 m Mean annual temperature: 23-28 deg C Mean annual rainfall: 1 000-3 000 mm Soil type: The tree is found on alluvial soils and soils derived from volcanic ash, metamorphic rock and limestone with pH from 5.5 to 7.5.
Reproductive Biology
T. donnell-smithii flowers during the dry season when the tree is leafless and can last for almost 2 months. Pods mature 4 months after flowering. Seeds are wind dispersed.
Propagation and management
Propagation methodsPropagation is by seed, which should be sown in shaded beds or trays in loose, moist, well drained, fertile media. Seeds should be lightly covered to protect against drying. Seeding density should be 540 seeds/mē. Germination starts in 12-18 days and transplanting to nursery bags in 3 weeks. Seedlings attain plantable size in about 4 months. Seedlings for stump plants should be grown for 7-9 months.Tree Management
Fairly wide spacing (9 x 4.5 m) is required due to a full-light requirement and rapid growth. Young trees coppice until they reach pole size. A saw log rotation of 30 years has been suggested. Pruning is recommended to attain straight form. Weeding is recommended for the first 2 years.
Germplasm Management
There are about 170 000 seeds/kg. Seeds can be stored in airtight containers at ambient temperature for up to 1 year when dried to 5-6% moisture content.
Functional uses
ProductsFuel: T. donnell-smithi is used as fuelwood. Timber: Heartwood pale blonde to pale brown sometimes with highly attractive greyish-black banding; sapwood not distinct; low to medium lustre; texture fine to medium; grain often interlocked and ribbon-striped; seasons and machines well, with occasional tearing when planing ribbon-striped quarter-sawn faces, specific gravity 0.52. Used for furniture, cabinetwork, veneer, flooring. Resistant to white- and brown-rot fungi and weathers well.Services
Erosion control: T. donnell-smithi develops large lateral roots that hold soils. Shade or shelter: It provides shade. Reclamation: The seeding characteristic can be exploited for reclamation of disturbed sites. Ornamental: T. donnell-smithi is grown as an ornamental on account of its impressive yellow floral display.
Bibliography
Francis JK. 1989. Tabebuia donnell-smithii Rose. SO-ITF-SM-25. Rio Piedras, Institute of Tropical Forestry.http://mano.icsd.hawaii.gov/hfciforest/non-native/gold.html
http://www.mobot.org/MOBOT/Research/ven-guayana/bignoniaceae/tabebuia.html