Pictetia aculeata
(Vahl) Urb.
Plantaginaceae
Aeschynomene aristata Jacq.
Pictetia aristata (Jacq.) DC.
Pictetia squamata (Vahl) DC.
Robinia aculeata Vahl
Robinia squamata Vahl
Common Name:
General Information
Pictetia aculeata is a spiny, deciduous shrub or a tree; it can grow up to 9 metres tall, but is rarely above 6 metres in the wild due to overexploitation. The bole can be 20cm or more in diameter[
447- Title
- Common Trees of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands
- Publication
-
- Author
- Little E.L.; Wadsworth F.H.
- Publisher
- USDA, Forest Service; Washington.
- Year
- 1964
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Contains detailed information, and usually an illustration, on 250 tree species, including both native and exotic species.
].
The tree produces a very durable wood, but because of the small dimensions is only used for fence posts. It is sometimes grown as a living fence and is suitable for groing as an ornamental, especially in drier areas, being valued especially for its long-lasting floral display[
447- Title
- Common Trees of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands
- Publication
-
- Author
- Little E.L.; Wadsworth F.H.
- Publisher
- USDA, Forest Service; Washington.
- Year
- 1964
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Contains detailed information, and usually an illustration, on 250 tree species, including both native and exotic species.
].
Pictetia aculeata has a restricted range, occurring only in dry forest habitats on the islands of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands (with the exception of St Croix). There is also an observed continuing decline in area, extent and quality of habitat. The plant is classified as 'Near Threatened' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2019)[
338- Title
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.iucnredlist.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
].
Known Hazards
None known
Botanical References
1327- Title
- Monograph of Pictetia (Leguminosae-Papilionoideae) and Review of the Aeschynomeneae
- Publication
- Systematic Botany Monographs Vol 56 pp 1-93 1999
- Author
- Beyra A.M. & Lavin M.
- Website
- http://www.jstor.org/stable/25096650
- Publisher
- American Society of Plant Taxonomists
- Year
- 1999
- ISBN
- DOI: 10.2307/2509
- Description
-
Range
Caribbean - Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, ?Haiti
Habitat
Coastal thickets and pastures in the dry coastal and dry limestone regions[
447- Title
- Common Trees of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands
- Publication
-
- Author
- Little E.L.; Wadsworth F.H.
- Publisher
- USDA, Forest Service; Washington.
- Year
- 1964
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Contains detailed information, and usually an illustration, on 250 tree species, including both native and exotic species.
]. Steep, open hillsides, dense scrub vegetation and disturbed areas, especially near the coast; at elevations up to 300 metres, occasionally to 500 metres[
1327- Title
- Monograph of Pictetia (Leguminosae-Papilionoideae) and Review of the Aeschynomeneae
- Publication
- Systematic Botany Monographs Vol 56 pp 1-93 1999
- Author
- Beyra A.M. & Lavin M.
- Website
- http://www.jstor.org/stable/25096650
- Publisher
- American Society of Plant Taxonomists
- Year
- 1999
- ISBN
- DOI: 10.2307/2509
- Description
-
].
Properties
| Conservation Status | Near Threatened |
| Other Uses Rating |  |
| Habit | Deciduous Tree |
| Height | 5.00 m |
| Cultivation Status | Ornamental, Wild |
Cultivation Details
The plant can flower and produce fruit through most of the year[
447- Title
- Common Trees of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands
- Publication
-
- Author
- Little E.L.; Wadsworth F.H.
- Publisher
- USDA, Forest Service; Washington.
- Year
- 1964
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Contains detailed information, and usually an illustration, on 250 tree species, including both native and exotic species.
].
Edible Uses
None known
Medicinal
None known
Agroforestry Uses:
The plant has sharp spines and the stems can be used as cuttings to produce an effective living fence and barrier[
447- Title
- Common Trees of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands
- Publication
-
- Author
- Little E.L.; Wadsworth F.H.
- Publisher
- USDA, Forest Service; Washington.
- Year
- 1964
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Contains detailed information, and usually an illustration, on 250 tree species, including both native and exotic species.
,
1309- Title
- The Leguminosae; A Source Book of Characteristics, Uses and Nodulation
- Publication
-
- Author
- Allen O.N.; Allen E.K.
- Publisher
- University of Wisconsin
- Year
- 1981
- ISBN
- 0-333-32221-5
- Description
- An amazing and comprehensive work, giving a brief guide to the many genera of the family Fabaceae and also the principle uses of the genus.
].
Other Uses
The heartwood is dark brown; the sapwood light brown. The wood is extremely hard, heavy, strong and durable, somewhat resembling lignumvitae (Guaiacum officinale). The wood is suitable for small turnery items but, because it is usually only available in small sizes, it is mainly used for fence posts, stakes and shingles[
338- Title
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
- Publication
-
- Author
-
- Website
- http://www.iucnredlist.org/
- Publisher
-
- Year
- 0
- ISBN
-
- Description
- A list of plants under threat and facing possible extinction, usually with brief details of the threats and information on habitat.
,
447- Title
- Common Trees of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands
- Publication
-
- Author
- Little E.L.; Wadsworth F.H.
- Publisher
- USDA, Forest Service; Washington.
- Year
- 1964
- ISBN
-
- Description
- Contains detailed information, and usually an illustration, on 250 tree species, including both native and exotic species.
,
1309- Title
- The Leguminosae; A Source Book of Characteristics, Uses and Nodulation
- Publication
-
- Author
- Allen O.N.; Allen E.K.
- Publisher
- University of Wisconsin
- Year
- 1981
- ISBN
- 0-333-32221-5
- Description
- An amazing and comprehensive work, giving a brief guide to the many genera of the family Fabaceae and also the principle uses of the genus.
].
The wood is used for fuel[
1309- Title
- The Leguminosae; A Source Book of Characteristics, Uses and Nodulation
- Publication
-
- Author
- Allen O.N.; Allen E.K.
- Publisher
- University of Wisconsin
- Year
- 1981
- ISBN
- 0-333-32221-5
- Description
- An amazing and comprehensive work, giving a brief guide to the many genera of the family Fabaceae and also the principle uses of the genus.
].
Propagation
Seed -
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Useful Tropical Plants Database 2014 by
Ken Fern,
web interface by
Ajna Fern
with help from
Richard Morris.
