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tagasaste
Scientific Name: Chamaecytisus palmensis
Family: Fabaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth:
Duration:
Other Names:
Tagasaste (Cytisus proliferus)
Tagasaste, also known as tree lucerne or false tree lucerne, is a versatile evergreen tree gaining popularity for its various uses, from livestock fodder to soil improvement.
Considerations for Pets
- This plant is often used as fodder for livestock, including sheep, goats, horses, and cattle.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Cytisus proliferus
- Common Names: Tagasaste, tree lucerne, false tree lucerne, lucerne tree
- Family: Fabaceae (Legume family)
- Synonyms: Chamaecytisus palmensis, Cytisus prolifer
- Taxonomic Rank: subspecies (Chamaecytisus proliferus (L.F.) ssp. palmensis)
Distribution and Habitat
- Native to the Canary Islands.
- Widely naturalized in New Zealand after being introduced as a hedging plant.
- Grown in the Western Cape of South Africa.
- Prefers light, well-drained sandy soils on slopes and hillsides.
- Thrives on gravels, loams, limestones, and laterites.
Morphological Characteristics and Growth Habits
- Small, spreading evergreen tree that typically grows to 3-4 meters high, but can reach 5-6 meters.
- Shrubby in nature.
- Fast-growing.
- Deep-rooted.
- May have weeping branches and greyish-green foliage.
Ecological Role
- Nitrogen-fixing legume plant.
- Used for erosion control.
- Functions as a nurse crop for native plants.
- Provides shelterbelts.
- Attracts birds and bees.
Uses and Management
- Well-known fertilizer tree.
- Valuable for animal fodder, especially for cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, horses, and deer.
- Used for firewood.
- Provides shelter.
- Aids in soil improvement.
- Used in permaculture gardens.
Quirky Facts
- Tagasaste seeds benefit from pre-treatment with boiling water to aid germination.