Plant · P-1167

Nacedero

Trichanthera gigantea

Nacedero is a fast-growing tropical shrub grown for cut-and-carry livestock feed, its leaves running 13 to 22 percent protein and readily eaten by pigs, rabbits and poultry, though cattle and other ruminants take to it more slowly. Cuttings planted as a hedge root wherever a low stem touches damp ground, thickening the row and holding stream banks and spring heads against erosion. It grows best tucked into partial shade under taller trees such as banana, flushing new leaf after rain and shedding it in drought, but a touch of frost kills it outright.