Family: Fabaceae
Origin: Native from Mexico through Central America to northern South America, and widely introduced and naturalized in many tropical regions.
Garden location: 17°42’55.23″N 64°49’51.47″W
ArbNet Level II list: No
POWO Status: Shrub or Tree
IUCN Red List threat level: Least Concern
Pithecellobium dulce
Growth habit
Semi-evergreen to evergreen, thorny tree with a broad, spreading crown. In drier conditions it may shed part of its foliage briefly before flushing again.
Leaf flush
Look for fresh, light green new leaves emerging at branch tips, often after a dry spell or with the onset of rains.
Mature foliage
Canopy full and medium to dark green; leaves fully expanded and firm.
Flower buds
Small rounded buds appear in clusters in the leaf axils near the ends of branchlets.
Open flowers
Flowers small, greenish-white to cream, with many conspicuous stamens giving a soft “powder-puff” appearance. Lightly fragrant and often attractive to bees and other insects.
Peak flowering
Tree noticeably dotted with pale puffball flowers across the outer canopy.
Post-flowering / spent flowers
Stamens wither and fall; small immature pods begin to form where flowers were borne.
Immature fruit
Pods slender, flattened, and green, gradually becoming thicker and more curved.
Maturing fruit
Pods enlarge and begin to twist or curl as they approach ripeness; color shifts from green toward pinkish or reddish tones.
Ripe fruit
Pods split open along one side and curl back, exposing the edible pulp surrounding the seeds. The pulp is usually white to pinkish, depending on form and maturity.
Seed stage
Seeds glossy, dark, and well defined within the opened pod.
Fruit drop
Split pods, seeds, and pod fragments fall beneath the tree; ground litter may be a useful indicator even when canopy fruit is hard to see.
Leaf fall
Partial leaf drop may occur during drought or seasonal stress; often followed by a flush of new leaves.