Madre De Agua or Trichanthera Plant

Trichanthera is a monotypic genus of flowering plants in the acanthus family containing the single species Trichanthera gigantea, which is known by many common names, including madre de agua, suiban, cenicero, tuno, naranjillo, and palo de agua. It is native to Central America and northern South America. It has also been introduced to other tropical regions such as Vietnam, Cambodia, and the Philippines.

This plant is a shrub or tree growing up to 5 meters tall, though a 15-meter specimen was reported once. It often produces aerial roots. The oval or oblong leaves are up to 26 centimeters long by 14 wide and are borne on short petioles. The flower is maroon with a yellow throat. It is bell-shaped and the throat measures up to 2.5 centimeters long. The plant blooms in the afternoon and the flowers fall away during the night. The flowers are pollinated by bats. The bat Glossophaga soricina has been seen at the flowers of this species.

This plant has many uses for humans. It is cultivated as an animal fodder and fed to ducks, pigs, and rabbits. It has veterinary uses in Colombia, where it has been used to treat horse colic and retained placenta in cows. It has uses in human medicine, including as a supplement to increase lactation in nursing mothers. It is used as a living fence and a shade tree.

'Madre de Agua' or Trichantera Gigantea as Feed Supplement

Trichantera gigantea, a fodder tree, also known as Nacedero or Madre de Agua. It was introduced into the country some years ago from Latin America (Columbia and Venezuela) and adapts well in local tropical conditions. It can be planted to a wide range of soil types and elevations up to 1800 meters above sea level. It can be planted at low density at 6,700 cuttings per hectare. It grows well easily between plantation crops and produces 40-60 tons per hectare.

WHAT IS THE NUTRIENT CONTENT OF TRICHANTERA GIGANTEA?

The leaves of trichantera is a potential source of protein, varying from 18-22 in dry matter form and apparently most of this protein are true protein and has a good amino acid balance (Rosales, et.al, 1989). It has 2.8% Crude Fat, 13.4% Crude Fiber,19.7% Ash, and 37.0% NFE.

HOW IS TRICHANTERA GIGANTEAN PROPAGATED?

Propagation may be done through cuttings. The cuttings measuring 6-8 inches with 2 nodes are ideal as planting materials. Cuttings can be grown in a plastic bag ( 10 inches x 6 inches) and allowed to grow in three (3) months before it can be transplanted to the field. However, it can be directly planted to the prepared field.

HOW IS IT FED TO PIGS?

Young leaves can be offered to the pigs in fresh form. It can also be processed into leaf meal and use of ingredients in mash.

HOW MUCH CAN BE FED TO PIGS AS PARTIAL REPLACEMENT FOR COMMERCIAL FEEDS?

Trichantera leaves can replace about 20-30% of the commercial diet of growing-finishing pigs. Six (6) kilograms of fresh leaves consumed by pigs per day is equivalent to 1 kg of mixed feeds saved.

CAN IT BE GIVEN TO OTHER ANIMALS ASIDE FROM PIGS?

Yes. It can be mixed to poultry diets (ducks, hens, quails, rabbits, and even to large (cattle and carabaos) and small ruminants (sheep and goats) feeds.

WHAT ARE THE ECONOMIC BENEFITS WHICH CAN BE OBTAINED FROM SUBSTITUTING TRICHANTERA LEAVES TO COMMERCIAL RATION?

Partial replacement of mixed feeds with Trichantera gigantea give almost the same results in terms of weight gain, meat quality and income with those pigs given sole mixed feeds.