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.
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.
