Tropical Drift Seeds ("Sea Beans")

Acrocomia spp.

Common name(s): Prickly palm

References: 1

Notes

There are generally three holes or indentations, evenly spaced, around the edge of this seed

Aleurites moluccana

Common name(s): Candlenut

References: 1, 2

Amphitecna latifolia

Common name(s): Calabash

References: 1

Andira galeottiana

Common name(s): Brain fruit, Brain bean, Donovan's brain

References: 1

Andira inermis

Common name(s): Cabbagebark

References: (none)

Astrocaryum sp.

Common name(s): Starnut palm

References: 1

Bismarckia nobilis

Common name(s): Bismark palm

References: 1

Notes

Thanks to Stefano at www.semiriciclo.it for helping to identify this seed.

Caesalpinia bonduc

Common name(s): Gray nickernut, Gray nickerbean

References: 1, 2

Notes

I've also seen it spelled nickarnut, with an A.

Calophyllum sp.

Common name(s): Laurelwood(?)

References: 1

Canavalia nitida

Common name(s): Cathie's bean

References: 1

Notes

I did not find this very rare seed. It was given to me.

Canavalia rosea

Common name(s): Bay bean, Beach pea

References: 1

Carapa guianensis

Common name(s): Crabwood

References: 1

Carya aquatica

Common name(s): Water hickory

References: 1

Caryocar spp.

Common name(s): Porcupine seed

References: 1

Casuarina equisetifolia

Common name(s): Australian pine

References: 1

Chrysobalanus icaco L.

Common name(s): Coco-Plum

References: (none)

Cocoloba uvifera

Common name(s): Sea grape

References: 1

Crescentia cujete

Common name(s): Calabash

References: (none)

Notes

This seed is large... around the size of softball or grapefruit.

Cycas revoluta

Common name(s): Sago palm

References: 1

Notes

Thanks to Stefano at www.semiriciclo.it for helping to identify this seed.

Dioclea ??

Common name(s): "Large flat dicolea"

References: 1, 2

Notes

This is likely a dioclea, but I do not know the species. This seed was found on the eastern shore of Elliott Key in Biscayne National Park. There are bite marks on it that match up on top and bottom so during its journey it must have been tested by several fish.

Dioclea ssp.

Common name(s): Sea purse

References: 1

Notes

The image probably reflects several species of the genus Dioclea.

Entada gigas

Common name(s): Sea heart

References: 1

Fevillea cordifolia

Common name(s): Antidote vine

References: 1

Hernandia nymphaeifolia

Common name(s): Lantern tree

References: (none)

Hevea brasiliensis

Common name(s): Rubber tree

References: (none)

Hippomane mancinella

Common name(s): Manchineel

References: 1

Hymenaea courbaril

Common name(s): West Indian Locust

References: 1

Ipomoea alba

Common name(s): Moonflower

References: 1

Ipomoea pes-caprae

Common name(s): Railroad vine

References: 1

Notes

To the left of the penny is an example of what you might find on the beach. To the right are seeds I collected from the actual plant in the dunes, which still retain their fuzzy coating.

Juglans (?)

Common name(s): Jamaica walnut(?)

References: 1, 2

Juglans neotropica

Common name(s): Tropical walnut

References: 1, 2

Juglans nigra

Common name(s): Black walnut

References: 1, 2

Lecythidaceae

Common name(s): Anchovy Pear

References: 1

Manicaria saccifera

Common name(s): Sea coconut, Golfball

References: 1

Merremia discoidesperma

Common name(s): Mary's bean

References: 1

Mucuna fawcettii

Common name(s): ??

References: 1

Mucuna holtonii

Common name(s): ??

References: 1

Mucuna sloanei

Common name(s): Brown hamburger bean, True sea bean

References: 1

Mucuna urens

Common name(s): Red hamburger bean

References: 1

Omphalea diandra

Common name(s): Jamaican naval spurge

References: 1

Oxyrhynchus trinervius

Common name(s): Little marble

References: 1

Pandanus sp.

Common name(s): Screw pine

References: 1

Phytelephas sp.

Common name(s): Ivory palm, Ivory-nut palm

References: 1, 2

Pongamia pinnata

Common name(s): Cat's eye, Milletia pinnata

References: 1, 2

Notes

There are specimens of this tree growing in Miami Beach. Because it is not all that durable, seeds of this species found on South Florida beaches are likely of local origin.

Poupartia amazonica

Common name(s): Black sea-biscuit