Sterculiaceae (Guazuma)

Protocol Information for:

Label_title:
Guazuma (ulmifolia)

Family Names:

Family Scientific Name:
Sterculiaceae

Family Common Name:
Chocolate

Scientific Names:

Genus:
Guazuma

Species:
ulmifolia

Scientific Classification:

Scientific SubSpecies:

Species Authority:

Scientific SubAuthority:

Authors:

Brian F Daly

Common Synonym:

Genus:

Species:

Synonym Classification:

Synonym SubSpecies:

Species Authority:

Synonym SubAuthority:

Other Information:

Common Name:
guacima

Species Code:

Ecotype:

General Distribution:
Mexico to Ecuador, Peru, northern Argentina, Paraguay and Brazil. Also found throughout the West Indies from Cuba to Trinidad.

Known Invasiveness:

Propagation Goal:
plants

Propagation Method:
seed

Product Type:
Container (plug)

Stock Type:

Grow Time:
0

Target Specifications:
Seedlings large enough to be planted in the oped field, roughly 24" - 36" tall.

Propagation Collection:
Fruits were collected from the tree using a pole pruner. Trees were located in St. Croix, on scenic drive west where the road turns to concrete. Fruits were collected in July 1999 and in March 2001. Fruiting is variable throughout the year with distinct peaks in production.

Propagation Processing/Propagule Characteristics:
Brown, hard, fragrent capsules are collected and opened with either a hammer or pruners. Tiny seeds are removed and saved while all else is discarded.

Pre-Planting Propagule Treatments:
Biol water (100 C). Place seeds in a screen/seive and dip them in bioling water for 30 seconds, remove from heat and run them under cold flowing water to cool off. Seeds will immedeatly produce a thick, clear gel around them. This material appears to inhibit germination and should be removed by rubbing the mass of seeds between paper towels until they are free of gel.

Growing Area Preparation / Annual Practices for Perennial Crops:
Seeds were sown in open, well drained trays. Media is 4:1:1 of Promix, fine sand, vermiculite. Germination rates between 60 - 95% have been achieved while germination without boiling water treatment is roughly 5%. Germination complete in roughly 15 days

Establishment Phase:
Once seedlings produce their third set of leaves they can be removed from the tray and transplanted to pots. Plants are sun loving and do porly in the greenhouse, getting weak and chlorotic if shaded for too long. Plants should be placed in bright sun where they will grow quickly. After 2 weeks in a pot they should be ready for almost full sun.

Length of Establishment Phase:
2 weeks

Active Growth Phase:
Once established in pots the plants can withstand rough treatment and will grow quickly in full sun. Soil must dry out between waterings.

Length of Active Growth Phase:

Hardening Phase:
Watered regularly in nearly full sun the trees will be hardened off and planting size in one month.

Length of Hardening Phase:
roughly one month

Harvesting, Storage and Shipping:

Length of Storage:

Guidelines for Outplanting / Performance on Typical Sites:

Other Comments:
Species is suseptable to sucking insect attacks such as scale and very vulnerable to leaf galls believed to be caused by a weevil. Leaves become deformed but trees do not die or stop growing

References:
Daly, B.F. and T.W. Zimmerman. 2001. Strategies for Urban Reforestation With native Tree Species in the U.S. Virgin Islands. Proceedings from the 5 Annual Meeting of the Caribbean Food Crop Society. Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago. 37:281.

CATIE. 1997. Nota tecnica sobre Manejo de Semillas Forestales. Guazuma ulmifolia LAM. No. 1, Julio p. 1-2.

Francis, J.K. 1990. Guazuma ulmifolia Lam. SO-IITF-SM-47. Sept. International Institute of Tropical Forestry, US Dep of Ag., USFS, Rio Piedras, PR. p.1-5.

Little, E.J., Wadsworth, F.H. 1964. Common Trees of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Agricultural Handbook No. 249. US Dep of Ag., USFS. Washington DC. 548 pp.

Citation:
Daly, Brian F. 2007. Propagation protocol for production of Container (plug) Guazuma ulmifolia plants Database of Restoration Research on the Colorado Plateau Kingshill, St. Croix, Virgin Islands. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2025/08/02). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.

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