Coinvine (Dalbergia ecastaphyllum)

Written By Josue Gimbernard

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.

miniBIOTA Biome

  • Found within the Mangrove Forest biome

Introduction

  • 12 December 2023: Sand collected containing Coinvine seeds are added to miniBIOTA.

Status Notes

  • 6 January 2024: The first coinvine spouts from a seed.

  • 6 February 2024: About a dozen coinvines sprouted.

  • 23 March 2024: Coinvines are competing with various other species of plants.

  • 5 April 2024: Coinvines closer to the coast grow more slowly than ones on the far end. Possibly due to more soil present on this other end.

  • 9 January 2025: The coinvines seem to have struck a balance within the biome. Some are stunted by the shadow of the mangroves. While other made it to the top and are simply maintaining their presence.

Josue Gimbernard