Black bean tree
Castanospermum australe, Fam. Fabaceae
![photo pending seedling2](https://cqclandcarenetwork.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/photo-pending-seedling2.png)
A medium to large tree, 10-30m high with a dense canopy and grey to brown smooth bark.
Weed Category: | |
Weed: | No |
Form or habit: | Med tree, Large Tree |
Family: | Fabaceae |
Leaf: | Pinnate, 30-40cm long, eight to 17 leaflets, egg shaped, oblong or oval, dark green above, paler underneath, glossy, 7-12 x 2-5cm. |
Flower conspicuous: | Conspicuous |
Flower colour: |
Yellow, Red |
Flower description: | Pea shaped, red or red yellow, upper petal curled backwards, 3-4cm long, borne in racemes on old, leafless wood. September to November. |
Fruit conspicuous: | Conspicuous |
Fruit colour: |
Brown |
Fruit: | |
Fruit description: | Brown, rounded, woody pods, 10-25 x 4-6cm. Each containing three to five large, rounded, chestnut like seed. |
Habitat: | Coastal dune, rainforest. |
Distribution | Queensland, New South Wales. |
Food source for: | |
Toxicity: | Seed regarded as poisonous, causing severe stomach cramps and diarrhoea. |
Origin: | Australia. |
Notes: | Slow growing when young but will respond to fertiliser. Deep, rich soils with good drainage give good results. A good shade tree, suitable as a street tree where adequate space is available. Flowers are very attractive to birds, possums and bats. |
Information sources: | Townsend K. & the Society for Growing Australian Plant Townsville Branch Inc. (1994) Across the Top: Gardening with Australian Plants in the tropics. |