Coinvine

(Dalbergia ecastaphyllum)

Classification

  • Kingdom: Plantae

  • Phylum: Tracheophyta

  • Class: Magnoliopsida

  • Order: Fabales

  • Family: Fabaceae

  • Genus: Dalbergia

  • Species: Dalbergia ecastaphyllum

Common Names

  • Coinvine

  • Coastal Dalbergia

  • Sea Dalbergia

Identification

  • Leaves: Alternate, compound with two leaflets which are round and resemble coins, giving the plant its common name.

  • Flowers: Small, white to pale yellow, clustered in short axillary racemes.

  • Fruit: A legume, elongated and slightly curved, containing one or several seeds.

  • Stem: Creeping or trailing vine, often rooting at nodes.

Habitat

  • Distribution: Native to tropical Americas, from Florida and the Caribbean to Brazil. Also found in tropical West Africa.

  • Natural Habitat: Thrives in coastal regions, particularly in mangrove ecosystems, sandy shores, and salt marshes.

Ecological Role

  • Pollinators: Attracts a variety of insects which pollinate its flowers.

  • Fauna Relationships: Provides habitat and food for various species, including birds and small mammals which feed on its seeds.

  • Adaptations: Highly salt-tolerant, adapted to survive in harsh coastal environments with saline soils.

Uses

  • Environmental: Used in beachfront stabilization projects due to its robust root system which helps prevent soil erosion.

  • Traditional Medicine: Utilized in some traditional remedies, though specifics vary regionally.

  • Ornamental: Occasionally used in landscaping for its attractive foliage and growth habit.

Conservation

  • Status: Not currently listed as threatened on a global scale, but local pressures such as habitat destruction could pose risks.

  • Conservation Efforts: Protected within some national parks and reserves where it naturally occurs. Conservation actions are focused on habitat preservation and management of coastal areas.

Research

  • Ongoing research focuses on the ecological role of D. ecastaphyllum in coastal ecosystems, its potential medicinal properties, and its use in environmental conservation projects.