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Mucuna sloanei
Also called: Horse Eye, Ojo de Buey, True Sea-Bean, Yeux Bourrique, Z'yeux-Bourrique
Original Description: Fawcett, W. & Rendle, A. B. (1917). Notes on Jamaica Plants. J. Bot. 55: 35 – 38.
 flowers |
 mature leaves |
 pods |
 pod closeup |
 seeds |
 seed closeup |
 New Leaves, 8/8/04 (longest = 15mm) |
 Young Leaves, topside, 8/8/04 (longest = 31mm) |
 Young Leaves, underside, 8/8/04 (longest = 31mm) |
 Tip of stem. 
 
 Young flower clusters.  Mature Flower Cluster Some are hidden, but there were 7 flowers to this cluster.  Mature Flower Cluster Clusters may have up to 18 flowers per cluster.  Individual Flower 
 Ants cover the flowers... perhaps the flowers are ant-pollinated? Anyone know what species of Florida (USA) ant this is? ...click right image for closer view. Mucuna gigantea also attracts ants; see photo ©by Forest Starr & Kim Starr at www.HEAR.org 
 Pistil and Anthers on a new, maturing flower. The pistil was first to be exposed, then the anthers were exposed a few days later. (click pictures above, for larger view)  Opened Flower showing pistil, stamens, and pollen  A flower that has both male and female parts is referred to as a "perfect" flower. Note the single, longer female pistil (showing the stalk or style and the pollen-receptive tip, the stigma). There are multiple, shorter male stamens (showing their filaments and pollen-producing tips, the anthers).  Remove the stamens to expose the full length of the stalk of the female pistil and you'll see the ovary at its base.. |
Mucuna sloanei seed pod
 A cluster of these pods hang vertically, one pod for each pollinated flower in the flower cluster.  Opened pod, showing two internal "Hamburger Bean" seeds.  Two seeds fully exposed. Pods have 1 to 3 seeds, but typically have 2 seeds per pod.  Close up of seeds, showing plant tissue that wraps around the seed, creating and covering the hilum. |
Links
Seed / Flower / Pod comparison of Mucuna sloanei vs. Mucuna sp. #001 - from the Amazon
Seed / Flower / Pod comparison of Mucuna sloanei vs. Mucuna sp. #002 - from Costa Rica
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