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Wednesday, July 25, 2012

On a Need to Know Basis....

OK....I need your help.

My friend Joan, also a mini person, found this tree on the grounds of the University Hospital here in Tucson. 

Being a miniaturist and a mini basket maker, she picked these seed pods up for us to experiment with.

Neither of us have any idea what they are.

I assume that they aren't poisonous or they wouldn't be planted by a hospital, unless said hospital needed more customers...

That's what I am trying to find out.  I am going to be sawing and drilling these little things and breathing in the air....Do you know what they are?  If so, please tell me.

If they are safe to use, they will be great.  The seeds that you see in the foreground are what's inside.  Each seed has a separate section in the pod.  If I saw them carefully, every vessel will have a closed bottom.  

As you can see, they are saw able and drill able....I even did some carving on one with an exacto.

I would appreciate any information that you can provide me with. 

Last, but not least, the termite inspector is coming today, so I thought that it would be best to get the last of the pile on the floor in the workroom taken up.

I can see the light at the end of the tunnel!  This is it!  Keep your fingers crossed.  When I get these things put away, I will have a perfect workroom...OK, not exactly perfect.  I will be able to walk across the floor to my desk without tripping.  Oh wait.  I can actually do that now.  The desk is to the right of the pile....Never mind....

See you tomorrow.

11 comments:

Unknown said...

I don't know. But they are very interesting! Do you have a garden nursery near-by. They should be able to tell you about it, or at least the name so that you can look it up. Now you have me curious!

Kathi said...

Cercidium? https://encrypted-tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRgNRi3llUO_xgBxgy3tClUhPo9bO1dugAgpdCcH2-UmHziRYekQA

Google knows. :D

Kim said...

Casey- I am thinking this might be what you are looking for:

http://www.texasbeyondhistory.net/ethnobot/images/mountain-laurel.html

pussman and co said...

I can't help you, butI am cuious to now! :)
Good luck!

DollZandThingZ said...

Maybe these-- Parkinsonia tree

http://www.arizonensis.org/sonoran/fieldguide/plantae/cercidium_micro.html

Neen said...

Casey, I think those are from the Palo Verde tree, here's some info on it., http://www.desertharvesters.org/native-plant-food-guides-the-desert-can-feed-you/palo-verde/. I didn't see anything pointing to it being poisonous or dangerous. The pods look incredible for miniature making. Have fun! Best, Neen

Unknown said...

Did the tree have purple flowers? If so those could be mountain laurel seed pods. I've never seen it in real life but those pods are something worth remembering. Coral bean has similar seed pods but I think the pods are black? I'm not sure. I hope that this solves the mystery :) And if not I hope that someone else knows exactly what those pods are. I'll have to come back later and find out was I right or not :)

Unknown said...

I'm not personally familiar with the seed pods you found, but they look similar to these.

The site says the young, unhardened pods can be eaten like peas. Hopefully that means they aren't poisonous!

Caseymini said...

Thanks All!

It is definitely Texas Mountain Laurel! The seeds are poisonous. I will have to be careful while handling them and dispose of them immediately. I think that the pods should be ok if I wash them before using...I won't be eating any of the baskets if I use them...I am going to have to think about this....

Caseymini said...

I knew that it wasn't mesquite or Palo verde. I have both of those close at hand. This was something that Joan and I had never seen before. I am so glad that I thought to ask you all. Thanks for the help!!!

Ruth said...

If I had checked my blog dashboard Wednesday my husband would have loved to help unravel this mini seed pod mystery! He's a Forrester by training and has an amazing memory for flaura and fauna. This makes him almost impossible to beat at Scrabble! I'm glad to were able to figure it out :)