Tree to 20 m. tall, frequently shorter. Leaves approximately 20-40 cm. long; leaflets 2-6 (-10) pairs, lanceolate-elliptical to elliptical, rarely broadly ovate-ellipti-cal, the base generally acute, the apex obtuse to acuminate-obtuse, glabrous to puberulous along the midrib above, glabrous to puberulous to scattered-pilose along the veins beneath (the specimens from the northern Antilles and north and west of Nicaragua on the mainland generally barbate in the axils of the veins beneath). Inflorescences shorter than the leaves, 3-20 or more cm. long, generally paniculate, less frequently nearly racemose, puberulent to pubescent. Flowers greenish-white to cream or pink, 4-to 5-(-6)-merous; calyx shallowly to definitely cupulate, the divisions often apiculate, glabrous to puberulous, the apicula frequently pubescent; petals spatulate, glabrous to completely puberulent without, usually with a lighter margin; staminal tube entire to obscurely lobed, rarely scattered-puberulent with-out; anthers 8-10 (-12); ovary glabrous to scattered-hirsute, borne on a narrow gynophore. Capsule red, glabrous, usually 4-valved, the largest seen about 2 cm. in diam., nearly globose, sometimes obscurely 4-sided, 4-seeded; seeds apparently al-ways entirely covered by a red aril.
Home
