**Common Names:**
– Gliricidia, Mexican lilac, mother of cocoa (in India and Ghana), Nicaraguan cocoashade (in Trinidad and Tobago), quickstick (in Guyana and Jamaica), Aarons rod (in Jamaica), St. Vincent plum
– Known as (南洋櫻) in China
– Also known as agunmaniye in Nigeria, rechesengel in Palau, and mãe-do-cacau in Portuguese
**Description:**
– Medium-sized tree growing 10–12m high
– Smooth bark ranging from whitish gray to deep red-brown
– Bright pink to lilac flowers with a pale yellow spot
– Pod fruit 10–15cm long, green when unripe, yellow-brown at maturity
– Pod contains 4 to 10 round brown seeds
**Distribution and Spread:**
– Cultivated extensively in North, Central, and South America since pre-Columbian era
– Genetic diversity center in southern Mexico and northern Central America
– Introduced to Philippines from Mexico in early 1600s
– Spread to Caribbean, Sri Lanka, India, Indonesia, West Africa, Uganda, Kenya
– Pantropical distribution; grows well in acidic soils
**Uses:**
– Shade tree for plantation crops like coffee
– Live fencing, fodder, firewood, green manure, rat poison
– Used in charsutri method of paddy cultivation
– High protein forage for cattle, sheep, goats
– Intercropping to boost crop yields without chemical fertilizers
**Limitations:**
– Toxic to non-ruminants; traditional use as rodenticide
– Palatability challenges reported depending on management and geography
– Frost intolerance and lack of adaptation to cool seasons
– Requires pollinators to set seeds; often propagated with stem cuttings
– Invasive potential, considered a weed in Jamaica; issues with defoliation under humid conditions
**Impact on Agriculture:**
– Enhances crop yields in Africa
– Valuable as a forage tree legume
– Used for its antibacterial properties
– Supports sustainable agriculture practices
– Contributes to food security efforts