Introduction:
Coral bean tree (Adenanthera pavonina) Weed.
A medium-sized tree up to 15m high, Adenanthera pavonina is native to India and Malaysia. It has been planted extensively throughout the tropics as an ornamental and has become naturalised in many countries. It invades intact, undisturbed hardwood forests as well as disturbed sites and can quickly form large colonies.
Occurs in:
Coastland, natural forests, ruderal/disturbed.
Habitat description:
Adenanthera pavonina prefers neutral to slightly acidic soils but will grow on a variety of soils in moist and seasonally moist tropical climates. It is common throughout the lowland tropics up to 300-400 m. Optimal plant growth occurs in areas with precipitation ranging between 3000-5000mm.
General impacts:
Adenanthera pavonina invades intact, undisturbed hardwood forests as well as disturbed sites and can quickly form large colonies.
Distribution Map:
Coral bean tree (Adenanthera pavonina) Distribution in North America shown in green.
Uses:
Cultivated as an ornamental; Adenanthera pavonina is used for food, medecine, furniture, and fuelwood. The bright-red seeds are used for ornaments and sometimes for food. In the Caribbean, the bright red seeds produced by this tree are known as “jumbie” beads. They are also called “Circassian” seeds. Also, a red dye obtained from the wood is used by Brahmins to mark religious symbols on their forehead.
Notes:
Close up of the Coral bean tree (Adenanthera pavonina) .
Adenanthera pavonina is reported to be very invasive in American Samoa and widespread on Kosrae.
Geographical range:
Native range: South eastern Asia, India, Malaysia.
Known introduced range: American Samoa, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Kosrae, Pohnpei, outer Caroline Islands, Fiji, French Polynesia, Guam, Hawai‘i, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Swains Island, Tonga, Australia, Indonesia, Peninsular Malaysia, Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, Christmas Island, Aldabra, Comoro Is., Maldives, Mauritius, Moluccas, La Réunion, Rodrigues, Seychelles.
Local dispersal methods:
Agriculture (local): Adenanthera pavonina is widely cultivated.
Consumption/excretion: Birds disperse the seeds into natural areas from nearby cultivated specimens.
Management information:
Preventative measures: A Risk Assessment of Adenanthera pavonina for Hawai‘i and other Pacific islands was prepared with minor modifications for use in Pacific islands. The result is a score of 7 and a recommendation of: “Likely to cause significant ecological or economic harm in Hawai‘i and on other Pacific Islands as determined by a high WRA score, which is based on published sources describing species biology and behaviour in Hawai‘i and/or ther parts of the world.”
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