Pithecellobium is a genus of flowering plants in the family Fabaceae. It includes approximately 23 species from the tropical Americas, ranging from Mexico to Peru and northern Brazil, including the Caribbean Islands and Florida.[1]

The generic name is derived from the Greek words πίθηκος (pithêkos), meaning "ape" or "monkey," and ἐλλόβιον (ellobion), meaning "earring," which refers to the coiled shape of the fruit pods.[3] Plants of the genus are known generally as blackbeads.[4]

Species

Pithecellobium dulce

23 species are currently accepted:[1]

Formerly placed here

Many species now in the genera Albizia and Abarema were formerly classified in Pithecellobium. Other species previously included:

References

  1. ^ a b c Pithecellobium Mart. Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 7 August 2023.
  2. ^ "Pithecellobium Mart". Germplasm Resources Information Network. United States Department of Agriculture. 2007-10-05. Archived from the original on 2009-05-07. Retrieved 2010-01-27.
  3. ^ Austin, D. F. (2004). Florida Ethnobotany. CRC Press. p. 517. ISBN 978-0-8493-2332-4.
  4. ^ Pithecellobium. Integrated Taxonomic Information System (ITIS).
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  • Data related to Pithecellobium at Wikispecies