Dichrostachys cinerea (L.) Wight & Arn.
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Authority
Isley, Duane. 1973. Leguminosae of the United States: I. Subfamily. Mimosoideae. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 25 (1): 1-152.
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Family
Mimosaceae
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Scientific Name
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Description
Species Description - Armed shrub or small tree with spurs terminating as thorns. Branchlets and leafstalks hirsutulous with hairs .2-.4 mm; leaflets puberulent or ciliate. Leafstalk gland adjacent to lower pinnae pair, or glands between several pairs; pinnae 6-10(-14) pairs; leaflets 16-22 pairs, oblong, (1-)2.5-5(-10) mm, evidently nerved or not. Spikes solitary or clustered, pendent from slender peduncles. Sterile flowers pinkish, fading white; staminodia ca 8 mm. Calyces 1.3-1.6 mm, corolla 4-5 mm, stamens ca 5 mm. Legume oblong, compressed, 4-6 cm long, 1 cm wide, with undulate margins, contorted at maturity.
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Discussion
Cailliea glomerata (Forsk.) Macbride There are several vintage specimens of Dichrostachys at NY and novelty arboretum representation in California. There was no representation in Florida herbaria (FSU & USF) whose material I examined ca 1968. I, therefore, rejected the species as an “unsuccessful waif” (Isely, 1970b), and it is not taken up by Long & Lakela (1971). But there are now modern gatherings and observations. I have seen one sheet and had communications as follows: Monroe Co., Islamorada, Avery in 1966 (SFU!). Dade Co., Homestead (fide Avery); Coral Gables, along old Cutler Road near Fairchild Gardens (fide Avery). Lake Co., s Eutis, Mathews in 1959 (FSU, fide Ward).
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Distribution
Florida, locally naturalized; California, novelty in cultivation. March-April. Native to Africa and India. Adventive in West Indies.
West Indies| Africa| India Asia| United States of America North America|