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| There are two coral bean (Erythrina herbacea) plantings in the arboretum. One is located on the north side of the Fitness Center, growing unfortunately in the shade of a hickory and an irrepressible & ever-spreading Chickasaw plum (Prunus angustifolia). The other coral bean has a more advantageous spot at the southwest corner of Mickle Hall. The latter plant has a flower stalk this week. |
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| The flower stalk demands attention as it protrudes from the greenery of the coral bean, but the fresh spring-time growth of the nearby French mulberry and toothache tree conceal the bright red flower. |
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| Keep an eye on this flower stalk if you have an interest in collecting the pretty 'beans' that are expected to develop here. In the past, your arboretum curator has had exactly zero luck in germinating the seeds, so please feel free to collect them when they are ready. Good luck! Just be a bit careful, many parts of the plant contain poisonous compounds. |
