Caesalpinia bonduc (L.) Roxb.
Gray nicker, nickerbean
Kingdom Plantae Plants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
Subkingdom Tracheobionta Vascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
Division Magnoliophyta Flowering plants, also known as angiosperms
Class Magnoliopsida Dicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves
Subclass Rosidae Roses, legumes, proteas, dogwoods, hydrangeas, mistletoes, euphorbias, grapes, many more
Order Fabales Legumes (pea and bean families)
Family Fabaceae Legume family (peas and beans)
Genus Caesalpinia Named after Andrea Cesalpino (1519-1603) of Italy
Species bonduc From French; then Arabic bunduq, “hazelnut;” then Greek Pontikòn (káryon), hazelnut, literally, Pontic nut
About plant names...
Nickerbean is widespread on tropical sea-shores.
Plants: Plants are a liana —a woody climber, like a vine—that
clambers over other plants, reaching lengths of up to 98′ (30 m). Branches are covered with straight or
recurved spines.
Leaves: Bipinnate , with 3-9 pairs of pinnae , and 6-9 pairs of
leaflets per pinna. Leaflets are ovate -oblong to elliptic -oblong. ½-1¾″ (1.5-5 cm) × ¼-⅞″ (8-25 mm).
Flowers: Flowers are in racemes , yellow or greenish yellow,
⅜-½″ (1-1.4 cm) long.
Fruits: Seed pods are initially green, becoming very dark brown to black.
Each pod is covered with prickles, resembling a porcupine fish, and contains one or two
pale gray or olive gray “nickernuts” about ¾″ (2 cm) in size. The nuts are dispersed by floating in the ocean.
Online References:
Www.seabean.com (Great photos)
Www.nativeplants.hawaii.edu
Wikipedia
JSTOR Plant Science
4/10/2015 · Gulf Coast Visitor Center, Everglades National Park, Everglades City, Florida · ≈ 8 × 5″ (19 × 13 cm)
4/13/2015 · Flamingo Campground, Everglades National Park, Florida · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (18 × 12 cm)
4/13/2015 · Flamingo Campground, Everglades National Park, Florida · ≈ 1½ × 1′ (47 × 31 cm)
4/10/2015 · Gulf Coast Visitor Center, Everglades National Park, Everglades City, Florida
4/10/2015 · Gulf Coast Visitor Center, Everglades National Park, Everglades City, Florida · ≈ 6 × 4″ (15 × 10 cm)
Older scientific or horticultural names
Caesalpinia crista auct. non L.
Guilandina bonduc L.
Guilandina crista auct. non (L.) Small
Caesalpinia bonduc description by Thomas H. Kent, last updated 25 May 2020.
© FloraFinder.org. All rights reserved.
4/13/2015 · Flamingo Campground, Everglades National Park, Florida · ≈ 8 × 6″ (20 × 14 cm)
4/10/2015 · Gulf Coast Visitor Center, Everglades National Park, Everglades City, Florida
4/13/2015 · Flamingo Campground, Everglades National Park, Florida · ≈ 8 × 6″ (20 × 14 cm)
4/13/2015 · Flamingo Campground, Everglades National Park, Florida · ≈ 9 × 6″ (22 × 15 cm)
4/13/2015 · Flamingo Campground, Everglades National Park, Florida · ≈ 15 × 10″ (37 × 25 cm)
4/13/2015 · Flamingo Campground, Everglades National Park, Florida · ≈ 6 × 4″ (16 × 10 cm)
4/13/2015 · Flamingo Campground, Everglades National Park, Florida · ≈ 8 × 5″ (19 × 12 cm)
4/13/2015 · Flamingo Campground, Everglades National Park, Florida · ≈ 1½ × 1′ (47 × 31 cm)
Range: Zones 9-11:
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