Chamaecrista absus appears to be known since 1640 from a plant in Egypt (probably cultivated), called the Absus of Prosper Alpinus. The origin of the species is unclear, as some authors consider it likely to be native in the Old World and introduced in the New World, where it occurs in scattered and discontinuous populations (H. S. Irwin and R. C. Barneby 1977, 1982); others argue that the status depends from the variety considered (R. McVaugh 1987).

Distribution

Introduced; Arizona, s Asia (India), introduced also in w Mexico, Central America, nearly pantropical.

Discussion

Varieties 2 (1 in the flora).

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

Chamaecrista absus var. meonandra