Peltophorum pterocarpum (DC.) Backer ex K.Heyne
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Authority
Acevedo-Rodríguez, Pedro & collaborators. 1996. Flora of St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 78: 1-581.
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Family
Caesalpiniaceae
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Scientific Name
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Description
Species Description - Tree to 20 m tall; bark light brown with many lenticels; branches rusty-brown pubescent when young. Leaves 20-40 cm long; pinnae 11-30 pairs; leaflets 13-32 pairs, 1.4-2 X 0.5-0.8 cm, oblong, coriaceous, puberulent on lower surface, the apex rounded and notched, the base strongly asymmetric, roundedcuneate, the margins entire; rachis cylindrical, furrowed, puberulent; stipules deciduous. Flowers in terminal panicles; pedicels 0.5-0.7 cm long; bracteoles 3-4 mm long, oblong. Calyx cupshaped, 9-10 mm long, the sepals reflexed, rusty pubescent without, ovate, 5-7 mm long; petals 2-2.5 cm long, obovate, clawed, tomentose along the middle; stamens as long as the petals; ovary rusty tomentose, ovoid, the style elongate. Legume 7.5-10 cm long, oblong or slightly constricted between seeds, woody, reddish brown, with margins thinned into a wing, beaked at apex, indehiscent. Seeds 10-12 mm long, oblong, flattened, beige.
Distribution and Ecology - Mostly planted along roadsides but becoming naturalized. Cruz Bay (A4662). Also on St. Thomas and Tortola; native to tropical Asia and Australia but widely cultivated throughout the tropics
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Discussion
Caesalpinia inermis Roxb., Fl. Ind., ed. 1832, 2: 367. 1832. Peltophorum inerme (Roxb.) Llanos in Blanco, Fl. Filip., ed. 3, 4: 69, t. 335. 1880