Black Bead (Pithecellobium keyense)

Black Bead is a familiar shrub or small tree native to South Florida, the Keys, Central America, and the Caribbean. Showy, pinkish-white puffball flowers bloom from winter into spring and, by summer, develop into green, spiral seedpods. As they ripen and dry, the pods turn brown and split open to reveal bright red, edible arils with black seeds. It is a member of Fabaceae, the legume or bean family.

Black Bead grows 8 to 15 feet high with multiple trunks and a broad, irregular crown. Its leathery evergreen leaves, colorful flowers, and fruit make it an attractive accent tree, screen, or hedge for a home garden. It is also an excellent cover for wildlife. Native bees and butterflies visit the flowers for the nectar, and birds feast on the red arils. The black seeds can be dried and used as beads for necklaces, hence the name Black Bead.

This small tree grows in full sun in well-draining limestone or sandy soils. It is considered a threatened species in Florida and hardy in USDA zones 9+.