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Useful Temperate Plants

Ramorinoa girolae

Speg.

Fabaceae

+ Synonyms

Common Name: Chica

No Image.

General Information

Ramorinoa girolae is a small, spine-tipped tree with rigid branches and leaves that have been reduced to very small scales so that the tree appears to be leafless[
1309
Title
The Leguminosae; A Source Book of Characteristics, Uses and Nodulation
Publication
 
Author
Allen O.N.; Allen E.K.
Publisher
University of Wisconsin
Year
1981
ISBN
0-333-32221-5
Description
An amazing and comprehensive work, giving a brief guide to the many genera of the family Fabaceae and also the principle uses of the genus.
].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and source of wood.
Ramorinoa girolae is currently considered to be a "Vulnerable" species for several reasons including its restricted geographical distribution, slow growth and low resistance to fire. Moves are underway, however, to include it in the 'Endangered' category of the IUCN List of Threatened Species[
1580
Title
Estructura de un bosque de Ramorinoa girolae (Fabaceaa), en la Sierra de Pie de Palo, San Juan (Argentina)
Publication
Bol. Soc. Argent. Bot. 49 (2): 283-292. 2014
Author
Hadad M.; Almiron M. & Scaglia J.
Publisher
 
Year
2014
ISBN
0373-580 X
Description
 
].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

1309
Title
The Leguminosae; A Source Book of Characteristics, Uses and Nodulation
Publication
 
Author
Allen O.N.; Allen E.K.
Publisher
University of Wisconsin
Year
1981
ISBN
0-333-32221-5
Description
An amazing and comprehensive work, giving a brief guide to the many genera of the family Fabaceae and also the principle uses of the genus.

Range

S. America - western Argentina

Habitat

Dry, sandy areas, forming groves in mountainous foothills; at elevations from 2,000 - 3,200 metres[
1309
Title
The Leguminosae; A Source Book of Characteristics, Uses and Nodulation
Publication
 
Author
Allen O.N.; Allen E.K.
Publisher
University of Wisconsin
Year
1981
ISBN
0-333-32221-5
Description
An amazing and comprehensive work, giving a brief guide to the many genera of the family Fabaceae and also the principle uses of the genus.
,
1580
Title
Estructura de un bosque de Ramorinoa girolae (Fabaceaa), en la Sierra de Pie de Palo, San Juan (Argentina)
Publication
Bol. Soc. Argent. Bot. 49 (2): 283-292. 2014
Author
Hadad M.; Almiron M. & Scaglia J.
Publisher
 
Year
2014
ISBN
0373-580 X
Description
 
].

Properties

Conservation StatusEndangered
Edibility Rating *  *  *
Other Uses Rating *  *
HabitTree
Height0.00 m
PollinatorsInsects
Cultivation StatusWild

Cultivation Details

Ramorinoa girolae is native to the warm temperate and subtropical desert regions of western Argentina between the latitudes 29 - 33° south[
1580
Title
Estructura de un bosque de Ramorinoa girolae (Fabaceaa), en la Sierra de Pie de Palo, San Juan (Argentina)
Publication
Bol. Soc. Argent. Bot. 49 (2): 283-292. 2014
Author
Hadad M.; Almiron M. & Scaglia J.
Publisher
 
Year
2014
ISBN
0373-580 X
Description
 
].
Requires a sunny position in a well-drained soil.

Edible Uses

Seed - raw or roasted[
1580
Title
Estructura de un bosque de Ramorinoa girolae (Fabaceaa), en la Sierra de Pie de Palo, San Juan (Argentina)
Publication
Bol. Soc. Argent. Bot. 49 (2): 283-292. 2014
Author
Hadad M.; Almiron M. & Scaglia J.
Publisher
 
Year
2014
ISBN
0373-580 X
Description
 
]. The seeds have an important nutritional value, containing a high percentage of proteins (21.2%) and lipids (29.3%)[
1580
Title
Estructura de un bosque de Ramorinoa girolae (Fabaceaa), en la Sierra de Pie de Palo, San Juan (Argentina)
Publication
Bol. Soc. Argent. Bot. 49 (2): 283-292. 2014
Author
Hadad M.; Almiron M. & Scaglia J.
Publisher
 
Year
2014
ISBN
0373-580 X
Description
 
]. The phenolic content and the antioxidant activity of the seeds are an indicator of their ability to offer potential health benefits when included in the diet[
1580
Title
Estructura de un bosque de Ramorinoa girolae (Fabaceaa), en la Sierra de Pie de Palo, San Juan (Argentina)
Publication
Bol. Soc. Argent. Bot. 49 (2): 283-292. 2014
Author
Hadad M.; Almiron M. & Scaglia J.
Publisher
 
Year
2014
ISBN
0373-580 X
Description
 
].
The roasted seeds are a coffee substitute[
1309
Title
The Leguminosae; A Source Book of Characteristics, Uses and Nodulation
Publication
 
Author
Allen O.N.; Allen E.K.
Publisher
University of Wisconsin
Year
1981
ISBN
0-333-32221-5
Description
An amazing and comprehensive work, giving a brief guide to the many genera of the family Fabaceae and also the principle uses of the genus.
].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The wood is very hard[
1580
Title
Estructura de un bosque de Ramorinoa girolae (Fabaceaa), en la Sierra de Pie de Palo, San Juan (Argentina)
Publication
Bol. Soc. Argent. Bot. 49 (2): 283-292. 2014
Author
Hadad M.; Almiron M. & Scaglia J.
Publisher
 
Year
2014
ISBN
0373-580 X
Description
 
]. It is used for various purposes within its native range[
1309
Title
The Leguminosae; A Source Book of Characteristics, Uses and Nodulation
Publication
 
Author
Allen O.N.; Allen E.K.
Publisher
University of Wisconsin
Year
1981
ISBN
0-333-32221-5
Description
An amazing and comprehensive work, giving a brief guide to the many genera of the family Fabaceae and also the principle uses of the genus.
].

Propagation

Like many species within the family Fabaceae, once they have ripened and dried the seeds of this species benefit from scarification before sowing in order to speed up and improve germination[
1580
Title
Estructura de un bosque de Ramorinoa girolae (Fabaceaa), en la Sierra de Pie de Palo, San Juan (Argentina)
Publication
Bol. Soc. Argent. Bot. 49 (2): 283-292. 2014
Author
Hadad M.; Almiron M. & Scaglia J.
Publisher
 
Year
2014
ISBN
0373-580 X
Description
 
]. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water. By this time they should have imbibed moisture and swollen - if they have not, then carefully make a nick in the seedcoat (being careful not to damage the embryo) and soak for a further 12 hours before sowing[
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].
Cite as: Temperate Plants Database, Ken Fern. temperate.theferns.info. 2024-03-28. <temperate.theferns.info/plant/Ramorinoa+girolae>

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