More than 2200 species of the wild flora and fauna photographed in Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, Mexico and the surrounding area.
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Flowers of Zihuatanejo
Purple Bush-Bean
Macroptilium atropurpureum
Flowers by Colour
-Vascular Plants (Phylum Tracheophyta)
-Flowering Plants (Subphylum Angiospermae)
-Legumes, Milkworts, and Allies (Order Fabales)
-Legumes (Family Fabaceae)
-Subfamily Faboideae
-Tribe Phaseoleae
-Subtribe Phaseolinae
-Bushbeans (Genus Macroptilium)
-Purple Bush-Bean (Macroptilium atropurpureum)
Macroptilium atropurpureum is a perennial herb widely cultivated across tropical and subtropical regions of the world as a forage crop, a soil and pasture improver and for ground cover. It is native to tropical America. It can form dense stands along forest margins and can also smother native shrubs, grasses and young trees. Flowers are typically deep purple with reddish tinge near base.
Description
• Macroptilium atropurpureum, commonly known as siratro or purple bush-bean, is a perennial climbing or trailing vine in the legume family (Fabaceae). It has trifoliate leaves, with three oval to diamond-shaped leaflets, and slender stems that twine through surrounding vegetation. Its distinctive pea-shaped flowers are deep maroon, purple, or reddish-purple and grow in elongated clusters. The flowers develop into narrow pods containing several seeds. The plant fixes nitrogen through root nodules and has been widely planted as a tropical pasture legume and ground cover.
Range
• Macroptilium atropurpureum is native to tropical America, including Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and parts of South America. It has been introduced widely in tropical and subtropical regions as a forage crop and has become naturalized in some areas. It is established in Zihuatanejo, Guerrero, and the surrounding area.
Habitat
• It grows in warm, sunny to partly shaded habitats, including tropical dry forest margins, grasslands, scrub, roadsides, pastures, and disturbed ground. Its trailing and climbing stems spread across the soil or over nearby vegetation. It tolerates seasonal drought once established and can grow in a range of soils, particularly in open areas with adequate drainage.