Pithecellobium

views updated

Pithecellobium (family Leguminosae, subfamily Mimosoideae) A genus of trees in which the leaves are pinnate, the stipules sometimes thorny. The pod is commonly coiled and dehiscent. Some species have edible seeds. There are 20 species, confined to tropical America. P. dulce (Madras thorn) is widely cultivated as a shade tree and a thorny hedge.