Gliricidia sepium (Jacq.) Kunth ex Walp.
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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
Fabaceae
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Scientific Name
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Description
Species Description - Tree to 10 m tall. Leaves imparipinnate; leaflets opposite, 7- 15, 3-6 x 2-2.5 cm, elliptic, oblong, or lanceolate, chartaceous, pubescent on lower surfaces, the apex acute, the base acute to rounded, the margins entire; petiolules to 4.5 mm long; stipules ovate, 2-3 mm long, persistent. Racemes nearly terminal on lateral branches, many-flowered, 12-15 cm long, puberulent; bracts minute, persistent. Calyx to 4-5 mm long, truncate, puberulent; corolla pink (to lavender), the standard to 16 mm long, obovate, notched at apex. Legume 7-15 x 1.2-1.7 cm, oblong, flattened, glabrous, beaked, dehiscent by twisting valves. Seeds to 1 cm long, circular, flattened, light brown.
Distribution and Ecology - Not very common, persistent after cultivation. Caneel Bay (A4119). Native to South America but widespread in cultivation (usually reproduced by cuttings) throughout the neotropics.
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Discussion
Common names: pea tree, quick stick.