Black Bean. 



(Castanospermum australe, A. Cunn.) 



Timber-getters of the two neighbouring States have given distinctive names to this 

 wood, the northern men having bestowed the appellation of Moreton Bay Chestnut, evidently 

 from the big seed of the pod resembling the Horse chestnut of Europe, whilst the Walesian has 

 derived his designation of it from the pod, prefixed by an adjective suggestive of the colour of 

 the timber. It is really remarkable how vernacular names are applied, as for instance, Red 

 Bean, where the fruit is not a bean, but the timber has much the same character as this, 

 although not the colour, and hence the. family (sic*) name. It is an ' attractive wood, much 

 resembling English and American Walnut in colour and often in figure, being dark or almost 

 black, with a pronounced grain. In some specimens exhibited in the Museum the figure is 

 most beautiful, excelling anything seen in exotic Walnut woods. The texture is close, and a 

 good surface is easily produced by planing. It is fairly heavy, and is a good carving timber. 

 It requires careful seasoning, otherwise it readily warps and twists. For doors, desks, panels, 

 particular kinds of furniture, it is well suited, and may be regarded as a good all-round heavy 

 cabinet timber. The tree is a fairly quick grower. 



Description of the Tree. One of the large trees of the coastal brush lands, distin- 

 guished by its large pinnate leaves and big pod. Bark thin, compact, pale-coloured, smooth. 

 Leaves from I to nearly 2 feet long; leaflets eleven to fifteen, ovate, elliptical or broadly 

 oblong, shortly acuminate, up to 6 inches long, shortly petioiulate. Flowers large, orange- 

 coloured, in loose axillary or lateral racemes, under 6 inches long, occurring sometimes 

 on the trunks and branches removed from the leaves. Standard about i inch in diameter. 

 Pod 8 or 9 inches long, about 2 inches broad, three to five cells, each containing a large 

 chestnut-like seed. 



Geographical Range. A native of the brushes of the North Coast district of New 

 South Wales and Southern Queensland. 



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