Castanospermum australe

Name and publication

Castanospermum australe A. Cunn. & C. Fraser ex Hook., Bot. Misc. 1: 241 (1830).

Description

Australian chestnut or Moreton Bay chestnut bears large woody pods 15-20 cm long and about 5 cm wide with space for up to six large seeds. The split pods resemble small canoes with up to six rounded seats.

Nativity and distribution

Castanospermum australe is native to Australia, New Caledonia, and Vanuatu but cultivated in the tropics as an ornamental.

Family

Fabaceae (alt. Leguminosae), also placed in Papilionaceae