Moreton Bay Chestnut, Black Bean
Castanospermum Australe
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

Culture
- Sun
- Full, Half
- Water
- Extra in Summer, Medium
- USDA zones
- 9–10
Shape & size
Classification
- Type
- Tree
- Family
- Fabaceae
- Climate
- Mediterranean
See full data, regional cultivation notes, and design tools. Build a client presentation around this plant.
Start your 14-day trialPhotos (107)
























Photographs by 6 contributors
- Forest and Kim Starr, CC BY 3.0 us · source
- AucklandNaturalist, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
- John Robert McPherson, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
- Steve Fitzgerald, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
- Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
- Ethel Aardvark, CC BY 3.0 · source
Related plants

Perennial
Alfalfa
Medicago Sativa
FullUSDA 4–9

Ground cover
Amazon Sunset Lotus
Lotus Maculatus 'Amazon Sunset'
FullUSDA 10–11

Annual
Annual Lupine, Bicolored Lupine
Lupinus Bicolor
FullUSDA 7–10

Annual
Annual Sweet Pea
Lathyrus Odoratus
FullUSDA 3–10

Tree
Argentine Mesquite
Prosopis Alba
FullUSDA 8–10

Tree
Arizona Velvet Mesquite
Prosopis Velutina
FullUSDA 9–10