Economic Botany Collection

Catalogue no.:

27 (temporary)

Botanical classification:

LEGUMINOSAE-CAESALPINIOIDEAE Hymenaea courbaril

Common name:

Jatoba, West Indian locust tree, stinking tree

Geographical description:

Costa Rica, Central America

Item description:

Earrings made from jatoba seed

Length:

2.5cm long

Plant information:

A large tree which can grow to 30m and is native to Mexico, Central America, West Indies, and northern South America.

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.