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Entada gigas
Species of legume From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Entada gigas, commonly known as the monkey-ladder, sea bean, cœur de la mer or sea heart, is a species of flowering liana in the pea family, Fabaceae, subfamily Mimosoideae. It is native to Central America, the Caribbean, northern South America, and Africa.[2] It is notable for having the largest seedpods in the Fabaceae.[3]
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Description
Generative characteristics
The fruit measures 12 cm (4.7 in) across and can reach 2 m (6.6 ft) long, with reports of pods up to 2.5 m (8 ft) long.[4][5] This pod, like all legumes, is a single carpel, the largest carpel of any known plant. Inside each pod are ten to fifteen seeds, each of which have a diameter of 6 cm (2.4 in) and a thickness of 2 cm (0.79 in).[6] The seeds contain a hollow cavity, which gives them buoyancy. After being washed by rain into rivers and then the ocean, the seeds can drift long distances on ocean currents. Seed buoyancy and vitality lasts at least two years.[7]
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Use
In Gabon it is used to make ropes and nets.[8]
Sea heart (Entada gigas) seeds
A canopy formed over lianas
Entada gigas seeds, resembling hearts
Botanical illustration from 1827
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References
External links
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