Geno-geno (Lonchocarpus sericeus, Prodr. 2: 260 (1825))

Family: Fabaceae

Author: (Poir.) Kunth ex DC.

Bibliography: Prodr. 2: 260 (1825)

Year: 1825

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Lonchocarpus

Vegetable: False

Observations: S. Mexico to Trop. America, W. Trop. Africa to Angola

Description

Geno-geno, scientifically referred to as Lonchocarpus sericeus, is a remarkable plant that has garnered interest for its ecological and geographical proliferation, as well as its distinctive place within the Fabaceae family. Initially documented in 1825, this species owes its scientific identification and classification to the work of renowned botanists (Poir.) Kunth ex DC.

Geographically, Geno-geno exhibits a notable versatility, thriving from southern Mexico across Tropical America. Additionally, it has established a significant presence stretching from Western Tropical Africa to Angola. This broad distribution underscores the plant’s adaptability to various climatic and soil conditions, making it an essential component of diverse ecosystems.

As a member of the Fabaceae family, Lonchocarpus sericeus shares the common characteristics of this plant group, such as its role in nitrogen fixation, which benefits the soil by enhancing its fertility. This characteristic contributes to sustainable agricultural practices and ecological balance, emphasizing the plant’s environmental importance.

In summary, Geno-geno (Lonchocarpus sericeus) is an extraordinary species with a rich historical background and a significant ecological footprint spanning multiple continents. Its role within the Fabaceae family further highlights its importance in promoting soil health and sustainability within the ecosystems it inhabits.

Common Names

Por: cabelouro, guará-timbó, inga, ingarana, ingá-de-bucha, ingá-do-uruçu, ingá-hí, ingá-ingareira-piaba, muxibeira, piaca, priaca
Eng: savonette
En: Geno-Geno, Savonette
Pt: Cabelouro, Guará-timbó, Inga, Ingarana, Ingá-de-bucha, Ingá-do-uruçu, Ingá-hí, Ingá-ingareira-piaba, Muxibeira, Piaca, Priaca

Synonyms

• Cytisus major (Sessé & Moc.)
• Philenoptera schimperi (Hochst. ex A.Rich.)
• Dalbergia macrophylla (Spreng.)
• Dalbergia guineensis (Spreng.)
• Derris sericea ((Poir.) Ducke)
• Lonchocarpus domingensis ((Turpin ex Pers.) DC.)
• Lonchocarpus pyxidarius (DC.)
• Lonchocarpus formosianus (DC.)
• Lonchocarpus guineensis ((Spreng.) Donn)
• Dalbergia domingensis (Turpin ex Pers.)
• Lonchocarpus sericeus var. jamaicensis (Griseb.)
• Lonchocarpus tomentosus (Tul.)
• Dalbergia formosiana ((DC.) F.Dietr.)
• Robinia argentiflora (Schumach. & Thonn.)
• Lonchocarpus turpinii (Kunth)

Distribution

• Angola (native)
• Bahamas (native)
• Benin (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• Brazil North (native)
• Brazil Northeast (native)
• Brazil South (native)
• Brazil Southeast (native)
• Brazil West-Central (native)
• Burkina (native)
• Cameroon (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Congo (native)
• Costa Rica (native)
• Cuba (native)
• Dominican Republic (native)
• Equatorial Guinea (native)
• Gabon (native)
• Gambia (native)
• Ghana (native)
• Guinea (native)
• Guinea-Bissau (native)
• Gulf of Guinea Is. (native)
• Haiti (native)
• Ivory Coast (native)
• Jamaica (native)
• Liberia (native)
• Mexico Northwest (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• Nigeria (native)
• Panamá (native)
• Puerto Rico (native)
• Senegal (native)
• Sierra Leone (native)
• Togo (native)
• Trinidad-Tobago (native)
• Venezuela (native)
• Venezuelan Antilles (native)
• Windward Is. (native)
• Zaïre (native)
• India (introduced)
• Madagascar (introduced)
• New Guinea (introduced)
• Sri Lanka (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Jul 12, 2022 by Tharunoju Laxman kumar (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jul 12, 2022 by Tharunoju Laxman kumar (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 1, 2021 by Pinto Joana (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jul 12, 2022 by Tharunoju Laxman kumar (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.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2969156)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:143380-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Lonchocarpus sericeus (Poir.) DC.)

Specifications

Growth