Tree identification-Veracruz Mexico

Greetings from Veracruz:
I am wondering if some one can help me id this tree. The branches have
thorns as well.
here are three photos

http://i1.tinypic.com/zjcrad.jpg

http://i2.tinypic.com/zjcrux.jpg

http://i3.tinypic.com/zjctol.jpg

Does anyone know if this tree is native to the America's?
Thanks so much for your help. This tree currently holds the nest of an
Aplomado falcon in a recycled Northern Caracara nest.
Aplomado falcon
http://i3.tinypic.com/zjdpjp.jpg

female Aplomado falcon on the nest.
http://i3.tinypic.com/zjdslt.jpg

David McCauley
Tlacotalpan, Veracruz
birding(at)gmail.com

The divided leaves are very reminiscent of those of Bauhinia.

Monique Reed

aplomado wrote:

"aplomado" <[Only registered users see links. ]> wrote in message
news:1147465578.568911.90980@u72g2000cwu.googlegro ups.com...



It's a mimosoid legume; I suspect it's very likely a _Pithecellobium_
species, since it looks quite a bit like online photos of
_Pithecellobium dulce_, which similarly has red pods with arillate
seeds and bipinnate leaves with just two leaflets that are in turn
composed of just two pinnules.

[Only registered users see links. ]
[Only registered users see links. ]
[Only registered users see links. ]

However, P. dulce has small rounded heads of flowers, whereas yours
appears to have its flowers in much longer clusters.

[Only registered users see links. ]

shows a dried specimen of _Pithecellobium lanceolatum_ with similar
leaves and similar elongated flower spikes to yours. Perhaps this is
the same species, or a close relative? Compare also:

[Only registered users see links. ]


Probably. There are many native Pithecellobium species, and many other
related genera also native. But some can be weedy and invasive outside
their native ranges.


Hope this helps.

Thanks Mel for your help on the tree ID
the links were very helpful, it appears to be Pithecellobium
lanceolatum.
David McCauley
Tlacotalpan, Veracruz