Monkeypod
Pithecellobium dulce
- Native to:
- Belize, Colombia, El Salvador, Guam, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Palau, Panamá, Peru, U.S. Minor Outlying Islands
Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Genus:
- Pithecellobium
- Species:
- Pithecellobium dulce
- USDA Symbol:
- PIDU
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub , Tree
- Height:
- 1500 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- mar,apr,may
- Bloom Colors:
- white, cream
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★★☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
almond moth (Cadra cautella), Carob moth (Ectomyelois ceratoniae), Cydia largo, Selenisa sueroides, Red-bordered pixie (Melanis pixe)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Butterflies:Clytie hairstreak (Ministrymon clytie), Marius Hairstreak (Rekoa marius), Red-bordered pixie (Melanis pixe)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds, bees
- Salt Tolerant:
- Yes
- Fragrant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from roots and trunk after fire damage.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- well-drained, sandy loam soil
- pH:
- 6.0 - 8.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to arid and semi-arid regions
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 7–21 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate readily after scarification; hot water treatment or mechanical scarification improves germination rates.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI