Brya ebenus

Life-forms

Classification System: APG IV

Superregnum: Eukaryota
Regnum: Plantae
Cladus: Angiosperms
Cladus: Eudicots
Cladus: Core eudicots
Cladus: Rosids
Cladus: Eurosids I
Ordo: Fabales

Familia: Fabaceae
Subfamilia: Faboideae
Tribus: Dalbergieae
Genus: Brya
Species: Brya ebenus
Name

Brya ebenus (L.) DC., 1825
Synonyms

Amerimnon ebenus Sw.
Aspalathus ebenus L.
Genista arborescens Mill. ex Spach
Nefrakis ebenus Raf.
Pterocarpus ebenus Pers.
Pterocarpus glaber Reichard ex DC.
Spartium arborescens Mill.

Distribution
Native distribution areas:

Continental: Southern America
Regional: Caribbean
Cuba
Introduced into:
India, Jamaica, Puerto Rico, Trinidad-Tobago

References: Brummitt, R.K. 2001. TDWG – World Geographical Scheme for Recording Plant Distributions, 2nd Edition
References
Primary references

De Candolle, A.P. 1825. Prodromus systematis naturalis regni vegetabilis, sive enumeratio contracta ordinum, generum, specierumque plantarum huc usque cognitarum, juxta methodi naturalis normas digesta. Pars 2: Sistens Calyciflorarum ordines X. 644 pp. Treuttel et Würtz, Parisiis [Paris]. BHL Reference page. : 2:421.

Links

Govaerts, R. et al. 2020. Brya ebenus in Kew Science Plants of the World online. The Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Published online. Accessed: 2020 Nov 07. Reference page.
International Plant Names Index. 2020. Brya ebenus. Published online. Accessed: Nov 07 2020.
Tropicos.org 2020. Brya ebenus. Missouri Botanical Garden. Published online. Accessed: 07 Nov 2020.
Catalogue of Life: 2021 Annual Checklist
USDA, ARS, Germplasm Resources Information Network. Brya ebenus in the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN), U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service. Accessed: 07-Oct-06.

Vernacular names
English: American Ebony, Coccus Wood, Cocos Wood
español: espino de sabana

Brya ebenus, also known as espino de sabana, granadillo,[1] cocus wood, cocuswood, and coccuswood, is a species of flowering tree in the pea family, Fabaceae, that is native to the Caribbean islands of Cuba and Jamaica.[2] Horticulturally it is known as the Jamaica(n) rain tree.

Description

The Jamaican rain tree is a small drought-resistant tree that can grow around 20–30 feet tall and produces long, drooping branches. It has small, waxy 2-3 parted compound leaves that often appear to be simple. The leaves are densely borne in alternate formation on short spurs that are produced on the main stems.[3] The bright yellow flowers develop on short indeterminate (racemose) inflorescences. They are typically (for the subfamily Faboideae) pea-like and hermaphroditic, with bilateral symmetry and (not so typically) heterostyly. The fruits are legumes, which are common for the family Fabaceae.
Ecology

Brya ebenus grows in scrublands (tropical terrestrial biome), needs full sunlight and flowers sporadically throughout the year. As its common name suggests, the Jamaican rain tree is well known to come into bloom almost immediately after a rain event. This is may be an adaptation to produce seeds quickly when unpredictable rains occur. The flowers attract insect visitors such as bees. As in many Faboideae, the Jamaican rain tree has bacterial nodules in its roots, which fix atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form, allowing growth in poor soils.
Cultivation and uses

Brya ebenus is cultivated as an ornamental, for bonsai trees, and for its valuable wood. Cocus wood is a very dense tropical hardwood with excellent musical tone quality, and was used for making flutes in England and France especially during the 19th century.[4] It is still occasionally used for wooden musical instruments such as bagpipes, clarinets, oboes, and piccolos.
References

"Jewels of the Caribbean". Virtual Herbarium.
"Brya ebenus". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 2009-04-19.
"Black Olive East Nursery". Retrieved 13 December 2014.
"Irish Flutes - Materials".