Coinvine (Dalbergia ecastaphyllum, H.G.A.Engler & K.A.E.Prantl, Nat. Pflanzenfam. 3(3): 335 (1894))

Family: Fabaceae

Author: (L.) Taub.

Bibliography: H.G.A.Engler & K.A.E.Prantl, Nat. Pflanzenfam. 3(3): 335 (1894)

Year: 1894

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Dalbergia

Vegetable: False

Observations: Trop. & Subtrop. America, W. Trop. Africa to Angola

Description

The Coinvine, scientifically known as Dalbergia ecastaphyllum, is a fascinating plant that belongs to the Fabaceae family. This botanical marvel was first cited in the literature by H.G.A. Engler and K.A.E. Prantl in their 1894 work on plant families. Authored by (L.) Taub., this plant has piqued the interest of botanists and plant enthusiasts alike due to its unique characteristics and widespread geographic presence.

Coinvine thrives in tropical and subtropical regions, extending its range across the Americas and West Tropical Africa, reaching as far south as Angola. This adaptability to diverse climates highlights the plant’s resilience and the rich ecological tapestry it supports.

The plant’s role in its native habitats is profound. In many ecosystems, Dalbergia ecastaphyllum plays a crucial part in the soil and nutrient cycles, given its inherent ability to fix nitrogen through symbiotic relationships with bacteria in root nodules, a common trait among legumes. This not only enriches the soil but also supports the plant communities in these regions.

Moreover, Coinvine is notable for its distinctive appearance with its lush, green foliage and occasionally coin-shaped leaves that give it its common name. This unique morphology not only adds to the botanical interest but also supports various wildlife forms, providing shelter and food sources.

In conclusion, Dalbergia ecastaphyllum or Coinvine, with its historical botanical significance and ecological importance, remains a remarkable specimen in the world of plants. Its adaptability and contribution to ecological stability make it a subject worth studying and appreciating.

Common Names

Por: bugi, marmeleiro-da-praia, marmelo
Eng: coinvine
En: Coinvine, Bejuco de Peseta, Coin-vine, Hay-scented Buckler-fern, Liane á Clous
Fr: Liane a Clous
Pt: Bugi, Marmeleiro-da-praia, Marmelo
Pt-br: Marmeleiro-da-praia, Bugi

Synonyms

• Ecastaphyllum ecastaphyllum ((L.) Huth)
• Amerimnon ecastaphyllum ((L.) Standl.)
• Hedysarum ecastaphyllum (L.)
• Dalbergia ecastophyllum var. cuprea (Pellegr.)
• Dalbergia malifolia (Welw. ex Baker)
• Ecastaphyllum brownei (Pers.)
• Amerimnon malifolium ((Welw. ex Baker) Kuntze)
• Amerimnon sieberi (Rchb. ex DC.)

Distribution

• Angola (native)
• Bahamas (native)
• Belize (native)
• Benin (native)
• Brazil North (native)
• Brazil Northeast (native)
• Brazil South (native)
• Brazil Southeast (native)
• Cameroon (native)
• Cayman Is. (native)
• Central African Repu (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Congo (native)
• Costa Rica (native)
• Cuba (native)
• Dominican Republic (native)
• Equatorial Guinea (native)
• Florida (native)
• French Guiana (native)
• Gabon (native)
• Gambia (native)
• Ghana (native)
• Guatemala (native)
• Guinea (native)
• Guinea-Bissau (native)
• Gulf of Guinea Is. (native)
• Guyana (native)
• Haiti (native)
• Honduras (native)
• Ivory Coast (native)
• Jamaica (native)
• Leeward Is. (native)
• Liberia (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Nicaragua (native)
• Nigeria (native)
• Panamá (native)
• Peru (native)
• Puerto Rico (native)
• Senegal (native)
• Sierra Leone (native)
• Suriname (native)
• Togo (native)
• Trinidad-Tobago (native)
• Venezuela (native)
• Windward Is. (native)
• India (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Dec 4, 2022 by Flor Alex (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 19, 2008 by Renato Lima (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 19, 2008 by Renato Lima (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 19, 2008 by Renato Lima (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 19, 2008 by Renato Lima (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Leaf

Taken Nov 27, 2022 by Frédéric Dupont (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 27, 2022 by Frédéric Dupont (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 21, 2022 by xusta (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 19, 2008 by Renato Lima (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 19, 2008 by Renato Lima (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken May 29, 2022 by Marzanna Bug (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 29, 2022 by Marzanna Bug (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 21, 2022 by xusta (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jan 19, 2008 by Renato Lima (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 19, 2008 by Renato Lima (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Feb 6, 2022 by Sébastien TRASBOT (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 1, 2020 by Mélanie Herteman (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Aug 23, 2021 by Justo Fernanda (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 23, 2021 by Justo Fernanda (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2968593)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:75934-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Dalbergia ecastaphyllum (L.) Taub.)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Tree, Shrub

Growth