Poitea carinalis is a species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae.[1][2] It is a small deciduous tree or dry shrub and when in flower, usually February–April (occasionally up to June, depending on dry season rains), an individual Poitea (Sabinea) can be seen from a mile away as the entire tree turns brilliant red, the flowers have the typical pea form with a long keel. Scattered individuals occur throughout the dry shrub and are occasionally planted elsewhere and since it has been adopted as the national flower of Dominica, people are now encouraged to plant it more widely. The flowers appear just before the new leaves unfurl and attract an abundance of insects, hummingbirds and bananaquits, but last for only a short time. Out of flower, it has 6-8 pairs of leaflets and a flattened pod. It is endemic to Dominica (one related species in Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands).[3]
| Poitea carinalis | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Subfamily: | Faboideae |
| Genus: | Poitea |
| Species: | P. carinalis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Poitea carinalis (Griseb.) Lavin
| |
| Synonyms[1] | |
|
Sabinea carinalis Griseb. | |
References
edit- ^ a b "Poitea carinalis (Griseb.) Lavin". Plants of the World Online. The Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. n.d. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
- ^ "Poitea carinalis (Griseb.) Lavin". Catalogue of Life. Species 2000. n.d. Retrieved May 31, 2024.
- ^ Dominica, Nature Island of the Caribbean Illustrated Flora, Andrew J. Lack, Caroline Whitefoord, Peter G. H. Evans and Arlington James, illustrations by Helen Greenop. Published by Ministry of Tourism, Government Headquarters, Roseau, Commonwealth of Dominica, 1997. ISBN 976-8056-56-8.