Plants that flower and fruit from their main stems or woody trunks rather than from new growth and shoots, are described as cauliflorous or cormiflorous; those that flower from the branches are ramiflorous. The Scarlet Bean (Archidendron ramiflorum ssp. Cooper Creek) is a spectacular example of both which is currently in bloom.
The buds appear in clusters about the trunk and branches and open to reveal a stunning cascade of white filaments up to 75 mm long. The flowering is very short-lived, lasting only one day. About eight months later, glabrous fruit develops into a coil, from 80 to 250 mm long, in a discrete shade of green, until turning dramatically red as a prelude to opening. The bright yellow-orange inner tissue reveals distinctive black seeds as an invitation to a diversity of feathered distributors.
Jennifer Marohasy BSc PhD has worked in industry and government. She is currently researching a novel technique for long-range weather forecasting funded by the B. Macfie Family Foundation.
Every one seems to be speechless with admiration of these fine photos, or of this showy plant, Neil. A plant with an appropriately spectacular name. A name like “red” just wouldn’t cut it for this plant, would it?.