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Description
Parkia is a genus of tropical trees native to Africa and Asia. It belongs to the Fabaceae family and is also known as African locust bean or néré. The tree can grow up to 20 meters tall and has a broad crown with a dense foliage of compound leaves. The bark is rough and dark brown, while the flowers are small and fragrant, arranged in clusters. The fruit is a long, flat pod that contains edible seeds covered in a sweet yellow pulp.
Taxonomic Information
| Domain | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Phylum | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Fabales |
| Family | Fabaceae |
| Genus | Parkia |
Appearance
Parkia trees have a distinctive appearance with a tall, straight trunk and a broad crown of compound leaves. The leaves are dark green and glossy, with each leaflet being about 10-15 cm long. The flowers are small and white, with a sweet fragrance. The fruit is a long, flat pod that can be up to 60 cm in length and contains up to 20 seeds covered in a sweet, sticky pulp. The seeds are brown and kidney-shaped, about 1-2 cm in length.
Care Guide
Parkia trees are relatively easy to care for, as long as they are planted in a suitable location and provided with adequate water and nutrients. Here are some tips for caring for your Parkia tree:Water: Parkia trees require regular watering, especially during the dry season. They prefer well-drained soil that is kept moist but not waterlogged.Fertilization: Parkia trees benefit from regular fertilization with a balanced fertilizer. Apply fertilizer in early spring and late summer.Soil: Parkia trees prefer well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. They can grow in a wide range of soil types, but they do best in loamy or sandy soil.Sunlight: Parkia trees are adapted to full sun or partial shade. They can tolerate some shade, but they prefer to be in direct sunlight for at least 6 hours per day.Hardiness Zones: Parkia trees are tropical plants and are not cold-hardy. They can be grown outdoors in USDA hardiness zones 10-12.
Common Pests & Diseases
Parkia trees are generally not prone to serious pest or disease problems, but they can be affected by certain issues. Here are some common pests and diseases that can affect Parkia trees:Pod borers: These insects can bore into the Parkia fruit and cause damage. To prevent infestations, remove damaged pods and use insecticides if necessary.Fungal diseases: Parkia trees can be affected by fungal diseases such as anthracnose and powdery mildew. These can be treated with fungicides and by removing infected plant parts.
Habitat
Parkia trees are native to tropical regions of Africa and Asia, where they grow in a variety of habitats including savannas, forests, and riverbanks. They are widely cultivated for their edible seeds and are an important source of food in many African and Asian countries.
Question and Answer
Q: Are Parkia trees difficult to grow?
A: Parkia trees are relatively easy to grow as long as they are planted in a suitable location and provided with adequate water and nutrients.Q: What are the edible parts of the Parkia tree?
A: The seeds of the Parkia tree are edible and are used in many African and Asian dishes.Q: What is the hardiness zone for Parkia trees?
A: Parkia trees are tropical plants and are not cold-hardy. They can be grown outdoors in USDA hardiness zones 10-12.Q: Can Parkia trees be grown indoors?
A: Parkia trees are not suitable for indoor growing as they require full sun and can grow up to 20 meters tall.
Related Plants
Here are some related plants to Parkia:- Acacia- Albizia- Cassia- Dalbergia- Inga
References
– “Parkia.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, 16 Oct. 2021, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parkia.- “Parkia: African Locust Bean.” World Agroforestry, 2021, www.worldagroforestry.org/treedb/AFTPDFS/Parkia_africana.PDF.
