Cherokee Bean

Did you know

• The bright red seeds are extremely toxic and historically were used by Native Americans as a fish poison.
• Despite the toxicity, the seeds were once used as beads for jewelry by indigenous peoples.
• The tubular red flowers are specifically adapted for pollination by hummingbirds.
• In colder regions the plant dies back to the ground in winter but resprouts vigorously from the roots each spring.
• It is also called coral bean because of the brilliant coral-red color of its seeds.

Color meanings

Uses

• ornamental garden
• hummingbird garden
• native landscaping