Common Trees of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands

LEGUME FAMILY (LEGUMMOSAE)
CASSIA SUBFAMILY (CAESALPINIOIDEAE; CAESALPINIACEAE)
79. C6bana negra Stahlia monosperma (Tul.) Urban
This tree of coastal forests of southwestern and
southeastern Yuerto Rico is easily identified by:
(1) the pinnately compound leaves with 6-12 oposite
lance-shaped to ovate leaflets 11/4-3% inches
Eng and j/rllh inches broad, on red stalks rr-it11
scattered black raised dots (glands) on lower surface;
(2) the clusters of pale yellow flowers about
$4 inch across the 3 petals; and (3) the odd, elliptic,
thick and fleshy, red pods 2 inches or less in
length, not splitting open.
A medium-sized evergreen tree 25-50 feet in
height and 1-11, feet in trunk diameter. Usual1
small, because the large trees have been cut. Bar z
on small trur~lrs is dark gray and smoothish, be-
coming rough, much furrowed, and thick on large
trunks. Inner bark is light brown and bitter. The
twigs are bran-n and hairless, with raised gray
dots (lenticels) .
The leaves nre alternate, 4-7 inches long, with a
yellow-brou-n asis and with stalks of individual
leaflets $i6 inch long. Leaflet blades are short-
pointer1 at apes. rounded and slightly oblique at
base, the edges slightly wavy, thickened and lenth-
ery, shiny on upper surface and dull beneath.
Flon-er clusters (racemes) are terminal and lat-
eral, 3-6 inches long, unbranched, and the flowers
with short stalks l,li inch long. The funnel-shaped
base (hypanthium) is about 1/8 inch long and
broad; there are 5 slightly hairy sepals M inch
long; 5 slightly hairy (pa illose) petals
inch long; 10 stamens; anc l' pistil wit11 1-celled
ovary and slender curved style.
The pods are about 1% inches broad and 8/4 inch
thick, with odor of ripe apples, light brown tasteless
flesh, and 1 large seed. Flowering in spring
and early summer (February to June) and maturing
fruits in summer and fall.
The sap~vood is light brown, and the heartwood
is dark brown. The wood is very hard, heavy,
strong, durable, and resistant to attack by drymood
termites.
Suited for furniture, although considered hard
for this purpose. illostly used for construction in
the past. Because of the demand of this valuable
mood, large trees have become scarce. Perhaps
this species could be planted both for shade and
wood.
Generally found in low areas and near mangrove
in the dry-coastal region of Puerto Rim east
to Ceiba. Also Vieques.
PUBIJC ~on~s~.-Boquer6n.
RAXGE.-Formerly known only from Puerto
Rico and Vieques but in recent years found also in
eastern Dominican Republic near Macao.
OTHER COJINOX x~~~s.--cdbana, polisandro
(Puerto Rico) ; coabanilla (Dominican Republic).
BOTANICAL BYNONYM.-~~~~~~~ maritima Bello.
The generic name Stahlict honors Agustin
Stnhl (1842-1917), physician and botanist of
Raynmcin, Puerto Rico, who wrote "Estudios
sobre In Flora de Puerto Rico" (1883-88, second
edition 1036-37), an unfinished publication on the
plants of the island. This is the only species of the
genus.