FNPS Plant Database
Pithecellobium unguis-cati
Nomenclature
Common Name:
Synonym(s):
Genus species:
Family:
Fabaceae (Leguminosae)
Plant Specifics
Form:
Size:
Life Span:
Long-lived perennial
Flower Color:
Fruit Color:
Phenology:
Noted For:
Landscaping
Recommended Uses:
Considerations:
Availability:
Propagation:
Light:
Moisture Tolerance:
Always Flooded---------------------------------Extremely Dry
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Somewhat moist, no flooding -to- Very long very dry periods
Salt Water Flooding Tolerance:
Unknown
Salt Spray/Salty Soil Tolerance:
Moderate. Tolerant of salty wind and may get some salt spray.
Soil or Other Substrate:
Sand
Soil pH:
Suitable to Grow In:
10A,10B,11
USDA zones are based on the average annual extreme minimum winter temperature.
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Vouchered In:
Ecology
Wildlife:
Larval host for cassius blue ( Leptotes cassius theonus ), large orange sulphur ( Phoebis agarithe ), and Miami blue ( Cyclargus thomasi bethunebakeri ) butterflies.
Nectar plant for cassius blue, Florida duskywing ( Ephyriades brunneus ), Florida white ( Appias drusilla ), giant swallowtail ( Papilio cresphontes ), great southern white ( Ascia monuste ), hammock skipper ( Polygonus leo ), large orange sulphur, mangrove skipper ( Phocides pigmalion ), Miami blue, Palatka skipper ( Euphyes pilatka ), southern broken-dash ( Wallengrenia otho ), three-spotted skipper ( Cymaenes tripunctus ), twin-spot skipper ( Oligorio maculata ) and other butterflies.
Birds eat the fruits (and the red&black arils).
Native Habitats:
Comments:
Ethnobotany:
General Comments:
Citations:
Gann, G.D., C.J. Abbott, C.G. Stocking, K.N. Hines, and collaborators. (2001+). Natives For Your Neighborhood. ( https://www.regionalconservation.org/beta/nfyn/plantdetail.asp?tx=Pithkeye ). Accessed 2026. The Institute for Regional Conservation. Delray Beach, Florida.
Haehle, Robert G. and Joan Brookwell. (1999). Native Florida Plants. Gulf Publishing Company. Houston, TX.
Minno, M., J. Butler, and D. Hall. (2005). Florida Butterfly Caterpillars and Their Host Plants. University Press of Florida, Gainesville.
Wunderlin, R. P., B. F. Hansen, A. R. Franck, and F. B. Essig. (1999+). Atlas of Florida Plants. ( https://florida.plantatlas.usf.edu/ ). [S. M. Landry and K. N. Campbell (application development), USF Water Institute.] Institute for Systematic Botany, University of South Florida, Tampa.
