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Agroforestry Uses: The plant is used as a hedge or living fence; as a shade tree in coffee plantations; and to prevent stream bank erosion[418 ]. The plant can be grown in association with a range of over-story agroforestry species due to its shade tolerance. It has been grown underneath bananas, Leucaena and Gliricidias[415 ]. A fast-growing plant, it can be used as a pioneer species when restoring naive woodland[625 ]. Other Uses: The wood is cream-coloured or pale brown, with no sharp distinction between the sapwood and heartwood. It has a slightly foetid odour, but no distinctive taste; is straight-or wavy-grained; coarse-textured; light in weight and rather soft, but strong for its weight[453 ]. It requires a sharp knife to cut smoothly across the grain; stains readily in drying[453 ]. Of low quality, it is only suitable for making light packing boxes or similar unfinished products[625 ]. The wood is used for fuel and to make charcoal[625 ]. Cultivated as an animal fodder and fed to ducks, pigs, and rabbits. Its leaves are relatively rich in protein. It has veterinary uses in Colombia, where it has been used to treat horse colic and retained placenta in cows