Musanga cecropioides – Corkwood Tree, Umbrella Tree, Urticaceae Tree, African Corkwood Tree

Description

A stunning, small to medium-sized, stilt-rooted tree with an umbrella-like crown of large, circular, palmate leaves that are divided to the base into numerous, long segments. It is native to a variety of humid, tropical forests in western and central tropical Africa, where it can be locally common. Like the closely related Cecropia, Musanga needs a lot of light to flourish and is often associated with disturbed sites where it takes advantage of gaps in the forest canopy. Musanga cecropioides is fast growing and adaptable, and a beautiful tree for the tropics. It is ideal for quickly creating a canopy and for erosion protection. Its wood is very light and the branches pithy. The tiny seeds germinate quickly in warm, humid conditions.