The MGS Forum

Plant identification => Plant identification => Topic started by: MikeHardman on September 08, 2011, 08:07:13 AM

Title: small tree, Eleouthkia Park, Mandria [later IDd as Pithecellobium dulce by me]
Post by: MikeHardman on September 08, 2011, 08:07:13 AM

I haven't got a clue with this one - don't recognize the leaves, flowers or fruit.
In Eleouthkia Park by Green Forest Nursery, Mandria, 9aug11.
It was the only specimen, which looked healthy; I feel its small stature (~4m tall) is normal.

Title: Re: small tree in Eleouthkia Park by Green Forest Nursery, Mandria, 9aug11
Post by: John on September 11, 2011, 12:28:18 AM

Could it be of the genus Samanea? Mimosaceae.

Title: Re: small tree in Eleouthkia Park by Green Forest Nursery, Mandria, 9aug11
Post by: MikeHardman on September 11, 2011, 06:40:23 AM

Thanks for the idea, John.
No. But it started me in the right direction - the Mimosoideae.
I thought it was a species of Abarema (from S. America).  A. cochliacarpos and cochleata are close, but the leaves and seed pods are not quite the right shape. Many Abarema were in Pithecellobium, and it seems 'my' one was one of the ones left in P.
I am fairly sure this is P. dulce.
http://blog.tourismthailand.org/EugeneTang/?p=622 (http://blog.tourismthailand.org/EugeneTang/?p=622)
Wikipedia:
- "native to Mexico, Central America, and northern South America. It is introduced and extensively naturalised in the Caribbean, Florida, Guam and Southeast Asia. It is considered an invasive species in Hawaii."
- "The generic name is derived from the Greek words πιθηκος (pithekos), meaning "ape" or "monkey," and ελλοβιον (ellobion), meaning "earring," which refers to the coiled shape of the seedpods."

Title: Re: small tree in Eleouthkia Park by Green Forest Nursery, Mandria, 9aug11
Post by: John on September 11, 2011, 08:45:51 AM

Yes I think you are right with Pithecellobium dulce. I am somewhat out of my depth when it comes to tropical stuff and even subtropical but there are quite a lot of plants out there!