Metopium brownei
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Metopium brownei

Browne's poisonwood · Black poisonwood

Tier 2 Difficulty: easy Water: low Light: full_sun
Temperature
20–37 °C
Soil pH
6–7
Hardiness
Zone 10–12
Click count
7
Observations
5

Description

Source: leafsnap

Metopium brownei (also known as chechem, chechen, or black poisonwood) is a species of plant in the family Anacardiaceae.

Care Guide

💧 Water
☀️ Light Full sun

Browne's poisonwood is native to open habitats, like sunny meadows and forest margins, which offer plenty of light. It does best in Full Sun but can tolerate Partial Sun, adapting well to different sunlight conditions.

Ideal: Full sun
🌡️ Temperature 20–37.8°C

Browne's poisonwood comes from tropical areas, where conditions are generally warm and humid. Consequently, it is adapted to high heat and moisture. It does not tolerate abrupt temperature shifts and favors a steady thermal environment, so indoor temperature swings should be avoided. The plant generally cannot withstand cold and needs warmer conditions to grow. If temperatures fall too far, growth may stop and the plant can die.

Ideal temperature: 20–37.8°C
💨 Humidity
Humidity:
🪴 Soil 6-7
Soil pH: 6-7
🌱 Fertilizer

Fertilization is essential to the care of Browne's poisonwood. Consistent feeding during the growing season preserves the energy required for its showy foliage and encourages overall growth. If left unfed, the plant can develop unhealthy leaves, lose ornamental appeal, and produce stunted or weak growth that is liable to break.

🪴 Pot & Repot
✂️ Pruning

Browne's poisonwood contains toxic sap, so it must be handled with care. The best time to prune this plant is in early spring, concentrating on removing dead or diseased branches and improving air circulation. This practice promotes the plant's health and reduces the risk of disease. Always wear gloves when handling the plant to protect yourself from potential skin irritation caused by the sap.

🌿 Propagating
🐛 Diseases & pets
☠️ Toxicity

Characteristics

Plant Type
Tree
Life Cycle
Perennial
Genus
Metopium
Family
Anacardiaceae
Hardiness Zone
10-12
Mature Height
14.94 m to 24.99 m
Mature Spread
7.92 m to 11.89 m
Leaf Color
Dark Green
Leaf Type
Deciduous
Flower Color
Yellow
Flower Size
0.25 cm to 0.51 cm
Bloom Time
Mid spring, Late spring
Planting Time
Spring, Summer
Harvest Time
Mid summer, Late summer, Early fall
Native Area
Colombia, Belize, Cuba, Honduras, Mexico, Jamaica

Tags (5)

Common Names (2)

en Browne's poisonwood
en Black poisonwood