Pithecellobium keyense, commonly called Florida Keys blackbead',[2] or Florida Key apes-earring,[1] is a species of flowering plant in the legume family (Fabaceae).
| Pithecellobium keyense | |
|---|---|
| |
| Showing emerging flowers | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Subfamily: | Caesalpinioideae |
| Clade: | Mimosoid clade |
| Genus: | Pithecellobium |
| Species: | P. keyense
|
| Binomial name | |
| Pithecellobium keyense Britton ex Britton & Rose
| |
Distribution and habitat
editIt is native to The Bahamas, Belize, Cuba, Mexico (in the states of Quintana Roo and Yucatán), and the U.S. state of Florida.[3] It typically grows over sand and limestone substrates, often near coastal areas.[4][5] It is a common species throughout much of its range.[4][5]
Description
editPithecellobium keyense is a shrub or small tree. It has pinnately compound leaves, with 2-4 leaflets. The leaves are evergreen and leathery in texture. Flowers are produced in heads, and range in color from white to pink. Its fruits are a long coiled bean.[4]
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A fruiting specimen
References
edit- ^ a b "Pithecellobium keyense. NatureServe Explorer 2.0". explorer.natureserve.org. Retrieved 5 May 2023.
- ^ USDA, NRCS (n.d.). "Pithecellobium keyense". The PLANTS Database (plants.usda.gov). Greensboro, North Carolina: National Plant Data Team. Retrieved 29 July 2018.
- ^ Grandtner, M.M. (2005). Elsevier's Dictionary of Trees: Volume 1: North America. Elsevier Science. p. 671.
- ^ a b c Pithecellobium keyense Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve
- ^ a b Florida Keys blackbead The Institute for Regional Conservation