Bismarckia nobilis

Tree with a strong, straight trunk and a generous crown. It has glossy, palmate, bright green leaves. Scarlet, bell shaped flowers in hanging clusters. Danger: irritating hairs – extreme caution must be taken with the dangerous, irritating hairs inside the seed pod. The hairs irritate the skin, are easily inhaled and have been known to cause blindness. This tree grows to 35 m and loses its leaves in the dry season. The vibrant flowers are bell-shaped and bright coral red. They appear in spring on leafless branches. The dark seed pod contains numerous seeds embedded in interlocking hairs in a honeycomb-like husk.