| Positive | NativePlantFan9 | On Jan 17, 2005, NativePlantFan9 from Boca Raton, FL
(Zone 10a) wrote:This spreading shrub with yellow flowers, a member of the same family as Cassias (Sennas), which has been debated, is native to the rocky pinelands, keys, and coastal sites and hammocks and sandy sites of far southern Florida in far southern Miami-Dade County and the Keys, zones 10b through 11. It is a medium to large, spreading shrub and possibly sometimes a small tree. The flowers are bright or pale yellow to yellow-orange. The leaves are smooth, and are the characteristic leaves of the Sennas, Cassias and Locusts and Tamarinds. The attractive flowers are useful to wildlife by attracting pollinating insects. It is a useful plant for butterflies and insects. Sadly, due to habitat destruction, this plant is listed as endangered by the state of Florida. It may be available in some nurseries, and seeds may sometimes be available - mostly in native plant rarity or specialty nurseries or growers. This plant should be used much more frequently in the landscape in far southern Florida and the Keys (in zones 10b through 11) as it is highly useful to wildlife and somewhat attractive.
MORE FACTS - It is being debated whether this plant should be in the same family as the Cassias (Sennas). The flowers are very similar to those of the Cassias and Sennas, yet the ISB Atlas of Florida Vascular Plants places this plant in the same family as the Nickers or Nickerbeans (Caesalpinia). This plant is listed as endangered by the state of Florida. Synonyms are Libidibia pauciflora Griseb. and Poinciana pauciflora (Griseb.)Small. |
