COMMON NAME
Blackbead
SCIENTIFIC NAME
Pithecellobium keyensis
ALSO KNOWN AS
Pithecellobium guadalupense
Plant family
Pea (Fabaceae)
Plant group
Broadleaf Evergreens
Blackbead is a perennial shrub up to 8' tall.
2 reports
1+
OBSERVERS
2+
OBSERVATIONS
Identification hints
Blackbead often grows broader than it is tall, with multiple branches spreading laterally from a short or multiple short trunks.
Did you know?
These trees is native to Florida and found primarily in southeastern part of the state and the Florida Keys. Blackbead is the host plant for two butterfly species, the Cassius blue and the large orange sulphur.
DISTRIBUTION IN TH U.S.
Florida
HABITAT
Grows in sand and limestone soils near coastal areas.
ATTRIBUTES
Leaves
Leathery, bright green eaves appear one at a time on the stem (alternate). Four 2" long leaflets share a leaf stalk (compound leaf).
Flowers
Fragrant flowers are borne in brush-like cream or pink colored clusters at the ends of branches, about 1" diameter on stalks.
Fruits
Fruit is a twisted 4-6" long brown seed pod with black seeds partially covered in bright red arils.
Bark
Bark is gray with shallow furrows.
Bloom Time
Blackbead flowers often appear around February and often last into the spring.
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