Economic Botany Collection

Catalogue no.:

89 (temporary)

Botanical classification:

LEGUMINOSAE-CAESALPINIOIDEAE Afzelia quanzensis

Common name:

Lucky-bean, mahogany bean

Geographical description:

Botswana

Item description:

Orange Afzelia arils

Length:

80cm

No. of beads:

20 arils, 60 seeds

Bead size:

1-2.4cm long

Plant information:

Tree native to southern Africa. The aril is edible but seeds of Afzelia are poisonous.

Donor date:

1993

Donor:

Ruth Smith has spent many years collecting botanical jewellery from around the world and donated her large collection to Kew in 2005. It numbers over 200 items, made from various plant parts such as seeds and bark, from a wide range of species.