Quickstick (Gliricidia sepium, Nomencl. Bot., ed. 2, 1: 688 (1841))

Family: Fabaceae

Author: (Jacq.) Steud.

Bibliography: Nomencl. Bot., ed. 2, 1: 688 (1841)

Year: 1841

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Gliricidia

Vegetable: False

Observations: Mexico to Colombia

Description

Quickstick, scientifically known as Gliricidia sepium, is a remarkable tree species belonging to the Fabaceae family. With its origins traced from Mexico to Colombia, this versatile plant has become a vital component of tropical agroforestry systems worldwide.

Renowned for its rapid growth, Quickstick can reach a height of up to 10 to 12 meters. Its leaves are compound and deciduous, featuring numerous small leaflets that contribute to a lush, green canopy. The tree is also noted for its vibrant and fragrant flowers, which usually display a stunning array of pink to lilac hues. These blossoms not only add aesthetic value but also attract various pollinators, contributing to the ecological balance of their native habitats.

One of the primary advantages of Quickstick is its ability to thrive in diverse soil types, including poor and degraded lands. This resilience makes it an ideal candidate for reforestation and land rehabilitation projects. Moreover, its nitrogen-fixing capability enhances soil fertility, benefiting adjacent crops and promoting sustainable agriculture.

In agricultural settings, Quickstick serves multiple purposes. It is commonly used as a living fence, providing both physical boundaries and shade for livestock. Additionally, its leaves and tender shoots are a valuable source of fodder for animals, rich in proteins and other essential nutrients. The tree’s wood is lightweight yet durable, making it suitable for fuelwood, stakes, and small-scale construction.

The ethnobotanical applications of Quickstick are noteworthy as well. Traditional medicine in various cultures harnesses the plant’s medicinal properties to treat ailments such as headaches, fevers, and skin infections.

Gliricidia sepium’s introduction into agroforestry systems highlights its adaptability and multifaceted benefits, representing an ecological asset from its native range in Mexico to Colombia and beyond. As the global emphasis on sustainable practices continues to grow, the relevance and application of Quickstick in various environmental and agricultural contexts stand prominent.

Common Names

Eng: nicaraguan cocoashade, quickstick, quick-stick
Spa: cacahuananche, madre de cacao, madriado, madricacao, mata ratón
En: Quickstick, Gliricidia, Cough Bush, Hogga Bush, Aaron’s rod, Grow Stick, Lilas Ætranger, Madre de Cacao, Mata Raton, Mother of Cocoa, Quick Stick, Spotted Gliricidia, Varita de San Jos≠
Bn: শারঙ্গ
Zh: 南洋櫻, 毒鼠豆
Fi: Rusotuonenpuu
Fr: Glicéridia, Gliricidie des haies, Le Madrecacao
Id: Gamal
Jv: Klérésédhé
Ml: ശീമക്കൊന്ന
Mr: ग्लिरीसीडीया
Si: ග්ලිරිසීඩියා සේපියම්
Es: Madre de cocao, Matarratón, Piñón de costa, Gliricidia, Alm cigo Extranjero, Madre de Cacao
Su: Cebreng
Tl: Kakawate
Th: แคฝรั่ง

Synonyms

• Lonchocarpus sepium ((Jacq.) DC.)
• Gliricidia maculata var. multijuga (Micheli)
• Millettia luzonensis (A.Gray)
• Gliricidia lambii (Fernald)
• Lonchocarpus roseus ((Mill.) DC.)
• Robinia variegata (Schltdl.)

Distribution

• Belize (native)
• Brazil North (native)
• Brazil South (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Costa Rica (native)
• El Salvador (native)
• Guatemala (native)
• Honduras (native)
• Mexico Central (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Northwest (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• Nicaragua (native)
• Panamá (native)
• Southwest Caribbean (native)
• Andaman Is. (introduced)
• Aruba (introduced)
• Assam (introduced)
• Bangladesh (introduced)
• Benin (introduced)
• Bismarck Archipelago (introduced)
• Borneo (introduced)
• Brazil Northeast (introduced)
• Brazil Southeast (introduced)
• Brazil West-Central (introduced)
• Burkina (introduced)
• Cameroon (introduced)
• Caroline Is. (introduced)
• Cayman Is. (introduced)
• Comoros (introduced)
• Cuba (introduced)
• Dominican Republic (introduced)
• East Himalaya (introduced)
• Ecuador (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• French Guiana (introduced)
• Ghana (introduced)
• Gilbert Is. (introduced)
• Guinea (introduced)
• Guyana (introduced)
• Haiti (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• India (introduced)
• Jamaica (introduced)
• Jawa (introduced)
• Laccadive Is. (introduced)
• Leeward Is. (introduced)
• Lesser Sunda Is. (introduced)
• Malaya (introduced)
• Maldives (introduced)
• Marianas (introduced)
• Marshall Is. (introduced)
• Myanmar (introduced)
• Nepal (introduced)
• Netherlands Antilles (introduced)
• New Guinea (introduced)
• Nicobar Is. (introduced)
• Nigeria (introduced)
• Pakistan (introduced)
• Philippines (introduced)
• Puerto Rico (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• Senegal (introduced)
• Seychelles (introduced)
• Sierra Leone (introduced)
• Society Is. (introduced)
• Sri Lanka (introduced)
• Suriname (introduced)
• Tanzania (introduced)
• Trinidad-Tobago (introduced)
• Uganda (introduced)
• Venezuela (introduced)
• West Himalaya (introduced)
• Western Australia (introduced)
• Windward Is. (introduced)
• Zimbabwe (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Leaf

Taken Mar 26, 2021 by alice leloup (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 26, 2021 by alice leloup (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 3, 2022 by Virendra Singh Shekhawat (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 3, 2022 by Virendra Singh Shekhawat (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 9, 2021 by moraes leticia (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jul 4, 2022 by wan wan (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 23, 2022 by Swati Girme (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 11, 2022 by Gabi Peña (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 11, 2020 by Mayke Campos (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 11, 2021 by cj campo (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jan 1, 2018 by huy HO (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 23, 2019 by Theophile Ijezie (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Jul 16, 2022 by Juan Carlos Ordonez (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 3, 2022 by Emmanuel ferre (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 30, 2020 by Paty (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 8, 2020 by dan hewison (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 3, 2022 by Virendra Singh Shekhawat (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken May 26, 2021 by Shehadi Ramiz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 3, 2022 by DTR (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 31, 2021 by sama ape (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Mar 17, 2020 by Taibi Kader (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 24, 2022 by Elisa Guennegan (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 21, 2020 by dan hewison (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/8082978)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:496639-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Walp.)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2953986)

Specifications

Growth form: Single Stem

Growth habit: Tree

Growth rate: Rapid

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.0

Ph minimum: 5.0