Chamaecrista caribaea var. lucayana

Chamaecrista caribaea var. lucayana (Britton) H.S. Irwin & Barneby

Synonym: Chamaecrista lucayana

Family: Fabaceae

Habit: Chamaecrista caribaea var. lucayana grows as pubescent shrub becoming woody with age to 2 m in height usually shorter. The bipinnately compound leaves are arranged alternately, to 8 cm in length.  The petioles have a distinct gland between the lower pinnae which is wide and flat topped.  The leaflets are in 4-10 pairs, elliptic, with a rounded leaf apex with a cuspidate tip, and an entire margin.

The complete, perfect, zygomorphic flowers are arranged in groups of 1-3 in leaf axils. The calyx has 5 greenish, unfused, oblong sepals. The corolla has 5 yellow unfused petals, none of which form a keel.  There are 10 stamens of which only 7 are fertile.  The ovary is superior and forming a flat, brown, pubescent legume at maturity.

Habitat: Chamaecrista caribaea var. lucayana grows in Dry Broadleaf Evergreen Formation-Shrubland (scrublands) and Pine Woodlands.

Distribution: Chamaecrista caribaea var. lucayana is endemic within the Lucayan Archipelago.

Medicinal/Cultural/Economic usage: Chamaecrista caribaea var. lucayana is not known to be used medicinally in the Lucayan Archipelago.