In article , wrote...

While birding in West Central Florida today I found an unusual looking tree
with light grey bark, nearly empty branches and these peculiar brown human-ear
shaped "pods". Someone called them "lmonkeypods". I think the "pods" were
the only "vegetation" on the treesl, which may have been empty for the winter.
Can anyone identify this tree for certain? I'm living in Tampa Bay area of
Florida. Thanks.

Sounds like _Enterolobium cyclocarpum_ or a close relative. Native
to Central America [presumably and exotic in Florida]. It becomes
leafless during the dry season in its native haunts.

http://www.winrock.org/forestry/fact...Enterolob.html
http://janzen.sas.upenn.edu/Trial_Sp...romyidae/Liomy
s_salvini_Home_Page/English_Text/E_cyclocarpum_adlt_Eng.html
http://www.fao.org/ag/aga/agap/frg/AFRIS/Data/240.HTM
http://www.greendealer-exotic-seeds....casteTree.html

cheers