Origin
South America
Ecological Impact
Described as fast and rank in its growth. Displaces native vegetation in distriburbed and undisturbed areas of Florida's tropical hammocks, coastal strands, and canal banks. Often becomes established in sunny openings and then clambers over adjacent canopy. Reports from scrub and forest natural areas in Plam Beach County and from the edges of Lake Okeechobee in Hendry County. Listed as a category I invasive species by Florida Exotic Pest Plant Species (FLEPPC).
Description
Sprawling evergreen shrub to 4 m (13 ft) tall (or wide), with somewhat zigzag, sparsely hairy stems. Leaves alternate, stalked, even-pinnately compound, with 3-6 pairs of leaflets, larger ones at lead tip; leaflets to 4 cm (1.6 in) long, oblong with rounded tips; petioles with gland above, between lowermost leaflets (and occasionally between others). Flowers yellow or yellow-green, 3-4 cm (1.2-1.6 in) across, in 3- to 12- flowered racemes near stem tips; stamens with prominent, curved filaments. Fruit a brown slender pod, cylindric, glabrous, 7-12 cm (3-5 in) long.
Identification Tips
Flowers in late fall to early winter, producing numerous seeds in each pod.
History
Commonly cultivated for ornament in Florida at least since the 1940s. Observed in the wild in south Florida since the ealy 1970s
Range
Cultivated in all regions of Florida.
Management Strategies
Do not plant. Remove root system and seedlings from landscape.