These seeds of coin vine (Dalhbergia ecastaphyllum) that I quickly gathered from the wrack line on the beach were photographed by Bob Montanaro. A trip to the sea bean symposium has inspired us both and is described on Bob’s blog.
Coin vine seeds are especially prolific on the beach right now. This vining shrub grows on the back of beach dunes and in other coastal places. At the Oslo Riverfront Conservation Area, you can see it growing on the mosquito control dikes …
Note the water in the background of the photo above. Seeds fall into the Indian River Lagoon, find their way to the ocean from through inlets, and onto our beaches as ‘sea beans’.
Flowering occurs in the summer:
The nickel-sized coins ripen in the fall:
Enjoy the Oslo Riverfront Conservation Area 