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Moreton Bay Chestnut, Black Bean

Castanospermum Australe

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Overview

The Moreton Bay Chestnut (Castanospermum australe), better known as Black Bean, is an evergreen tree native to Australia’s coastal rainforests. Valued for its broad, glossy green leaves and vibrant yellow-and-red flowers, it can reach up to 130 feet tall in its natural habitat but commonly stays under 50 feet in gardens. It prefers well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. Note: The seeds are toxic if ingested.

Sun Full, HalfWater Extra in Summer, MediumZones 9–10Type TreeClimate Mediterranean
Moreton Bay Chestnut, Black Bean (Castanospermum Australe) — The Moreton Bay Chestnut (Castanospermum australe)
Moreton Bay Chestnut, Black Bean (Castanospermum Australe) — The Black Bean boasts a dense, rounded crown, offering generous shade; and intriguing, image 68Moreton Bay Chestnut, Black Bean (Castanospermum Australe) — it can reach up to 130 feet tall in its natural habitat but commonly stays under 50 feet inMoreton Bay Chestnut, Black Bean (Castanospermum Australe) — serves as a captivating and robust addition to any landscape designMoreton Bay Chestnut, Black Bean (Castanospermum Australe) — The pods encase shiny, black seeds that resemble beans, hence the common nameMoreton Bay Chestnut, Black Bean (Castanospermum Australe) — contrasting splendidly with the vibrant red and yellow pea-like flowers that bloom in, image 71Moreton Bay Chestnut, Black Bean (Castanospermum Australe) — Native to the coastal rainforest regions of Australia; with a canopy spread of roughly, image 66+100

Culture

Sun
Full, Half
Water
Extra in Summer, Medium
USDA zones
9–10

Shape & size

Classification

Type
Tree
Family
Fabaceae
Climate
Mediterranean

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Photos (107)

Moreton Bay Chestnut, Black Bean (Castanospermum Australe) — The Moreton Bay Chestnut (Castanospermum australe)
Moreton Bay Chestnut, Black Bean (Castanospermum Australe) — The Black Bean boasts a dense, rounded crown, offering generous shade; and intriguing, image 68
Moreton Bay Chestnut, Black Bean (Castanospermum Australe) — it can reach up to 130 feet tall in its natural habitat but commonly stays under 50 feet in
Moreton Bay Chestnut, Black Bean (Castanospermum Australe) — serves as a captivating and robust addition to any landscape design
Moreton Bay Chestnut, Black Bean (Castanospermum Australe) — The pods encase shiny, black seeds that resemble beans, hence the common name
Moreton Bay Chestnut, Black Bean (Castanospermum Australe) — contrasting splendidly with the vibrant red and yellow pea-like flowers that bloom in, image 71
Moreton Bay Chestnut, Black Bean (Castanospermum Australe) — Native to the coastal rainforest regions of Australia; with a canopy spread of roughly, image 66
Moreton Bay Chestnut, Black Bean (Castanospermum Australe) — with a canopy spread of roughly 20 to 30 feet; distinctive seed pods up to 12 inches in length
Moreton Bay Chestnut, Black Bean (Castanospermum Australe) — orange and red and yellow flowers in the garden; with a canopy spread of roughly 20 to, image 82
Moreton Bay Chestnut, Black Bean (Castanospermum Australe) — shade-providing specimen with year-round interest - lush foliage
Moreton Bay Chestnut, Black Bean (Castanospermum Australe) — These blooms are not only visually stunning but also attract pollinators such as bees, image 44
Moreton Bay Chestnut, Black Bean (Castanospermum Australe) — These blooms are not only visually stunning but also attract pollinators such as bees and birds
Moreton Bay Chestnut, Black Bean (Castanospermum Australe) — These blooms are not only visually stunning but also attract pollinators such as bees, image 72
Moreton Bay Chestnut, Black Bean (Castanospermum Australe) — shade-providing specimen with year-round interest - lush foliage; distinctive seed, image 79
Moreton Bay Chestnut, Black Bean (Castanospermum Australe) — and intriguing seed pods that can enhance the aesthetic of any sizable landscape, image 81
Moreton Bay Chestnut, Black Bean (Castanospermum Australe) — can tolerate short periods of drought.<br><br>In summary; glossy green leaves and, image 77
Moreton Bay Chestnut, Black Bean (Castanospermum Australe) — are glossy and deep green; with a canopy spread of roughly 20 to 30 feet, image 70
Moreton Bay Chestnut, Black Bean (Castanospermum Australe) — shade-providing specimen with year-round interest - lush foliage; distinctive seed pods up to 12
Moreton Bay Chestnut, Black Bean (Castanospermum Australe) — can tolerate short periods of drought.<br><br>In summary
Moreton Bay Chestnut, Black Bean (Castanospermum Australe) — Note: The seeds are toxic if ingested
Moreton Bay Chestnut, Black Bean (Castanospermum Australe) — better known as Black Bean; with a canopy spread of roughly 20 to 30 feet, image 58
Moreton Bay Chestnut, Black Bean (Castanospermum Australe) — is an evergreen tree native to Australia‚Äôs coastal rainforests; distinctive seed, image 59
Moreton Bay Chestnut, Black Bean (Castanospermum Australe) — it can reach up to 130 feet tall in its natural habitat but commonly stays under 50, image 61
Moreton Bay Chestnut, Black Bean (Castanospermum Australe) — distinctive seed pods up to 12 inches in length
Photographs by 7 contributors

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