Jamaican broom (Chamaecrista glandulosa, Pittonia 4: 28 (1901))

Family: Fabaceae

Author: (L.) Greene

Bibliography: Pittonia 4: 28 (1901)

Year: 1901

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Chamaecrista

Vegetable: False

Observations: Mexico to Trop. America

Description

Jamaican broom, scientifically known as Chamaecrista glandulosa, is a notable member of the Fabaceae family. It traces its origins to a range extending from Mexico through Tropical America. The classification under this particular nomenclature dates back to a description by the botanist L. Greene, as documented in Pittonia vol. 4, page 28, in the year 1901.

Chamaecrista glandulosa is characterized by its typical features of the legume family, showcasing compound leaves and bright yellow flowers, which make it easily recognizable in its native habitats. The plant tends to thrive in tropical environments, leveraging the warm climate and abundant sunlight of these regions to flourish.

Its distribution across such a wide geographic range from Mexico to Tropical America emphasizes its adaptability and resilience in various tropical settings. This wide distribution also contributes to its importance within the ecosystems it inhabits, possibly playing roles in nitrogen fixation—a common trait among legumes—thereby enriching the soil and supporting plant community health.

Predominantly, Jamaican broom has garnered attention not only for its ecological roles but also for its presence in local cultures and possibly in traditional uses. Understanding its growth patterns, as well as the environmental dynamics it influences, continues to be of significant interest to botanists and ecologists alike.

Common Names

Eng: jamaican broom, wild peas
En: Jamaican broom, Wild Peas

Synonyms

• Hepteireca glandulosa ((L.) Raf.)
• Cassia glandulosa (L.)
• Dialanthera glandulosa ((L.) Raf.)

Distribution

• Bolivia (native)
• Brazil North (native)
• Brazil Northeast (native)
• Brazil South (native)
• Brazil Southeast (native)
• Brazil West-Central (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Cuba (native)
• Dominican Republic (native)
• Ecuador (native)
• Guatemala (native)
• Haiti (native)
• Jamaica (native)
• Leeward Is. (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• Nicaragua (native)
• Peru (native)
• Puerto Rico (native)
• Southwest Caribbean (native)
• Trinidad-Tobago (native)
• Venezuela (native)
• Windward Is. (native)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Feb 17, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Daniel André MATHIEU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 25, 2021 by P Schwedr (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 21, 2016 by richard gautier (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 21, 2016 by richard gautier (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 18, 2022 by As Boom (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Feb 17, 2018 by Tela Botanica − Daniel André MATHIEU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 21, 2016 by richard gautier (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Dec 21, 2016 by richard gautier (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Dec 21, 2016 by richard gautier (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/2949573)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:54517-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Chamaecrista glandulosa (L.) Greene)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Subshrub, Shrub

Growth