Gliricidia (madre de cacao, mata ratón) Gliricidia sepium
Gliricidia (madre de cacao, mata ratón) (Gliricidia sepium) is a deciduous perennial tree in the Fabaceae family, native to Seasonally dry forest from Mexico to Colombia. It grows 5–12 m (16–39 ft) tall and 4–8 m (13–26 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about 4 °C (39 °F). Space plants about 4 m (13 ft) apart.
Plan Gliricidia (madre de cacao, mata ratón) in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Gliricidia (madre de cacao, mata ratón) at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Fabaceae |
| Mature height | 5–12 m (16–39 ft) |
| Mature spread | 4–8 m (13–26 ft) |
| Spacing | 4 m (13 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About 4 °C (39 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 10) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 42 °C (108 °F) |
| Flowering | from about January for 4–9 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Seasonally dry forest from Mexico to Colombia |
| Common in gardens of | 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇨🇴 Colombia, 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇵🇭 Philippines, 🇮🇩 Indonesia, 🇮🇳 India, 🇳🇬 Nigeria, 🇰🇪 Kenya, 🇹🇭 Thailand |
Is Gliricidia (madre de cacao, mata ratón) toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: not well documented
- Dogs: mildly toxic
- Parts: seeds, bark, leaves
Bark, seeds and leaves are poisonous to rodents (hence mata ratón, “rat killer”) and to horses and dogs; the leaves are fodder for cattle and goats.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Gliricidia (madre de cacao, mata ratón)
Good neighbours
- good With Sweet corn: "Three sisters": climbing beans use corn as a support and fix nitrogen; the benefit to the corn is modest but real in low-input soils. Evidence C
Keep apart or take care
- caution With Alliums (onion family): Onions, garlic and leeks are said to stunt beans and peas (allium root exudates may reduce nodulation). Traditional companion-planting advice; controlled trials are few, so treat it as a soft preference. Evidence D
- caution With Alliums (onion family): Beans and peas are traditionally kept away from onions, garlic and leeks. Traditional companion-planting advice; controlled trials are few, so treat it as a soft preference. Evidence D
- caution With Fennel: Fennel is reported to suppress beans and peas growing next to it. Evidence C
Questions about Gliricidia (madre de cacao, mata ratón)
- How far apart should I plant Gliricidia (madre de cacao, mata ratón)?
- About 4 m (13 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 4–8 m (13–26 ft).
- Does Gliricidia (madre de cacao, mata ratón) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Gliricidia (madre de cacao, mata ratón) need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Gliricidia (madre de cacao, mata ratón)?
- It tolerates about 4 °C (39 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 10.
- When does Gliricidia (madre de cacao, mata ratón) flower?
- From about January for 4–9 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Gliricidia (madre de cacao, mata ratón) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not well documented; for dogs mildly toxic; for people mildly toxic. Bark, seeds and leaves are poisonous to rodents (hence mata ratón, “rat killer”) and to horses and dogs; the leaves are fodder for cattle and goats.
- What grows well with Gliricidia (madre de cacao, mata ratón)?
- "Three sisters": climbing beans use corn as a support and fix nitrogen; the benefit to the corn is modest but real in low-input soils.
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- CABI Invasive Species Compendium, CABI
- Feedipedia: animal feed resources information system, INRAE, CIRAD, AFZ and FAO
- GRIN-Global Taxonomy, USDA ARS
Notes and assumptions
- Pink pea flowers crowd the bare branches in the dry season. The classic living fence and shade tree for cacao and coffee; stakes root and sprout within weeks.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Bush bean Phaseolus vulgaris
- Garden pea Pisum sativum
- Sweet pea Lathyrus odoratus
- Runner bean Phaseolus coccineus
- Broad bean (fava) Vicia faba
- Lima bean Phaseolus lunatus
- Cowpea (black-eyed pea) Vigna unguiculata
- Yardlong bean Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis