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The Spectacular Scarlet Bean

By jennifer
February 6, 2008

Ramiflorum.jpg

Plants that flower and fruit from their main stems or woody trunks rather than from new growth and shoots, are described as cauliflorous or cormiflorous; those that flower from the branches are ramiflorous. The Scarlet Bean (Archidendron ramiflorum ssp. Cooper Creek) is a spectacular example of both which is currently in bloom.

The buds appear in clusters about the trunk and branches and open to reveal a stunning cascade of white filaments up to 75 mm long. The flowering is very short-lived, lasting only one day. About eight months later, glabrous fruit develops into a coil, from 80 to 250 mm long, in a discrete shade of green, until turning dramatically red as a prelude to opening. The bright yellow-orange inner tissue reveals distinctive black seeds as an invitation to a diversity of feathered distributors.

Archidendron.jpg

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Comments

  1. Every one seems to be speechless with admiration of these fine photos, or of this showy plant, Neil. A plant with an appropriately spectacular name. A name like "red" just wouldn't cut it for this plant, would it?.

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