Sheila’s green thumb is evident behind the Gift Shop at Ijams. One of the plants she is caring for produces bright purple seedpods.
The hyacinth bean is widespread as a food crop throughout the tropics, especially in Africa, India and Indonesia.
The plant grows as a vine, producing purple flowers and striking electric-purple colored seed pods. It’s a good choice for a quick screen on a trellis or fence. It grows fast, has beautiful, fragrant flowers that attract butterflies and hummingbirds, and it even produces edible leaves, flowers, pods, seeds and roots.
WARNING: The dried seeds are poisonous due to high concentrations of cyanogenic glucosides, and can only be eaten after prolonged boiling.
- Photo taken at Ijams Nature Center.
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2 comments:
What a stunning photo Lyn! I had no idea peapods could be that color.
I hope your summer is wrapping up well!
Hot Gwen.
It's been just too d--- hot to do much of anything outside, I spend a bit of time each day out but not much. Even the evenings have been hot. And I'm an outdoorsy kind of guy.
I hope NYC has been more enjoyable.
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