Keeping the Castanospermum australe dry and cool in the winter can encourage it to produce sprays of red and yellow pea-shaped flowers. The Castanospermum australe grows erect, developing a short stem with a small crown, usually roundish. The leaf is pinnate, having 11-15 lustrous green leaflets that are oblong and slightly curving on the petiole, or leaf stem. The bark is brown to grayish-brown and smells of cucumber if chopped. The 'bean' pod will naturally dry up and separate from the plant in several months and can be removed without any effect to the plant. The "bean" in the common name Lucky Bean Plant refers to the large seeds partially exposed above the soil and from which the plants have sprouted. Multiple plantings of plants will give a good display combining the dark shiny leaves of the tree with the novelty ornamental value of the giant seeds. It also makes an ideal indoor plant, especially as baby plant or when is young, as described below.ĭescription: Castanospermum australe makes an ideal indoor plant and is widely available in florists and nurseries as baby plant with the 'bean' attached to its base. The pods 20cm (8 inch) long and woody are produced and hang from the branch, containing 1-5 brown seeds 3cm (1 inch) in diameter. The orange or yellowish pea-shaped flowers 4cm (1.5 inch) long are borne in clusters on the branches so that they are partially hidden by the leaves. The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by birds and insects. It will flower in late spring, early summer, summer or late summer. The tree is grown for its attractive glossy pinnate leaves sometimes reaching 60cm (24 inch) long and the leaflets range in size from 917cm (3.5-7 inch) in length, for its flowers and as a shade tree. It is a large evergreen tree growing up to 40m (130 feet) tall, though commonly much smaller. ![]() It grows in moist, fertile, well-drained soils on terraces on the side of mountains or along the banks of rivers and streams. Distribution and habitat: Castanospermum australe is native to coastal rainforests and beaches in the east of Australia and to the Pacific islands of Vanuatu and New Caledonia.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |