Moreton Bay Chestnut

The black bean tree (Castanospermum australe) is also called the Moreton Bay chestnut. It is a flowering Australian native tree that can grow as tall as 30m (100') but is usually smaller in cultivation (to around 10m or 30'). The flowers are a bi-colour orangey-red and yellow which are highly bird attracting, especially to Australian native birds such as rainbow lorikeets. The foliage is glossy green and dense. The tree also produces gigantic seed pods which are full of golf ball sized green seeds which can be planted to sprout a temporary indoor plant. The seed pods, which split in half and are buoyant can also be used by children to make little boats or other toys.