A fast-growing tropical tree native to Central America and the Caribbean, used for timber, shade, and as a nitrogen-fixing cover crop in sustainable agriculture.
From Spanish 'guachapelí' or possibly from Nahuatl or Caribbean indigenous languages, the term entered English through colonial contact with tropical regions.
Dadap trees are nitrogen-fixing plants that work with bacteria in their roots to turn atmospheric nitrogen into fertilizer—farmers plant them to restore depleted soil without chemicals, making them an ancient sustainable farming solution that scientists are now rediscovering.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.