Nickernut
ExplorePlants
Nickernut
Guilandina bonduc
Nickernut is a special plant with bright yellow flowers and round, hard seeds. It grows in warm places and can climb on other plants, making it look like a green curtain in nature.
Habitat: Coastal areas
Appearance
The Nickernut is a thorny, scrambling shrub or vine with compound leaves. It produces small, vibrant yellow flowers in racemes. Its most distinctive feature is its hard, smooth, often greyish-brown seeds, commonly called 'sea beans'.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderFabalesFamilyFabaceaeGenusGuilandina
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Ancient mariners believed carrying a Nickernut seed brought them good luck and protection.
Finding a Nickernut seed washed up on a beach means it traveled a long, ocean journey!
Its super tough seeds were once used by sailors as buttons!
People in some cultures traditionally use Nickernut seeds as marbles for games.
Special abilities
Ability
Ocean Traveler
Nickernut has incredibly buoyant seeds that can float for months, helping it travel across oceans to new shores.
Ability
Thorny Protector
Nickernut plants are covered in sharp, recurved thorns that help protect its stems and leaves from hungry herbivores.
Ability
Nitrogen Fixer
Nickernut can draw nitrogen from the air and put it into the soil, acting like a natural fertilizer for itself and neighbors.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 200-600 cm
- Flower Size
- 0.5-1 cm
- Bloom Season
- Summer_fall
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- Mild
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
Honey Bee
Apis mellifera
Visits flowers to collect nectar and pollen.
pollinates
Buff-tailed Bumblebee
Bombus terrestris
Buzzes around the flowers, aiding in pollination.
shelters
Sanderling
Calidris alba
Small birds might find temporary shelter in dense thickets.
Traits
Climbing/Vine
Climbing or vine plants are characterized by a growth habit that allows them to ascend upwards by twining, tendrils, or adhesive roots.
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Ornamental
Ornamental plants are cultivated primarily for their aesthetic appeal, enhancing landscapes and gardens with their attractive foliage, flowers, or form.
Nut Bearing
Nut bearing plants produce hard-shelled fruits, commonly known as nuts, which contain a single seed and are a valuable food source.
Drought Tolerant
Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability.
Edible
Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Coastal
Coastal habitats are dynamic environments located along the interface between land and sea, influenced by tides, waves, and saltwater.
Also known as
BonducGray Nicker
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
Do not eat the seeds, as they can be harmful. Always look but don't touch!
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Nickernut?
200-600 cm
How big are the flowers on Nickernut?
0.5-1 cm
When does Nickernut bloom?
Summer_fall
Is Nickernut edible?
No
Is Nickernut toxic?
Mild
What is Nickernut's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is Nickernut pollinated?
Insect
Where is Nickernut usually found?
Coastal areas
Snap Map
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