This climbing, scrambling shrub is called Bentham's Rosewood (Dalbergia benthami).

It is difficult to see for most of the year, but at the beginning of March it suddenly produces masses of tiny pea-flower-shaped blooms. The flowers only stay for a week or so, then pods develop from some of the flowers. At the moment, many of the hillsides are covered with them. After the short blooming period, the dying flowers scatter like a snowstorm when the branches are shaken.

<img src="http://www.compunicate.com/Lamma/29/Benth2-bb.jpg" border=1>
<img src="http://www.compunicate.com/Lamma/29/Bentham-rosewood-bb.jpg" border=1>

One of the first signs that spring is really on the way, in spite of the cold weather. It's that time of the year again when the normally inconspicuous Bentham's Rosewood on the hillsides become covered with tiny white flowers. These are the long straggly stems that scramble up other trees to get to the top. After about a week, the flowers will fall off by the hundred when the stems are shaken

.

The Rosewood flowers have long since faded and those lucky enough to be pollinated are now transformed into pea-pod like fruits all over the hillsides.

Ah, so that's what these huge peapods are! In a few months they'll trun dark brown and almost black, very eye-catching.

I've always been wondering if they are edible?

Would be a nice addition to a "Eat Well on Lamma for $0 per day" feature, don't you think? IF Grandma Hilda is ever getting around to writing it...
Maybe with input from Dave the Hobo who seems a real expert on living extremely cheaply.

What else is edible in the local flora?

Sorry for thinking of eating so shortly after breakfast, but my mind is already pre-occupied with freeloading at two free media events w/buffets tonight where I've been invited... My own way of living cheaply, much tastier than chewing on the local vegetation...

_________________
Click here for Lamma-zine stories and recent Lamma Spotlights of the Week:
Photo, Video, Person, Wildlife, Bird, Artwork.

Lots of domestic plants gone feral.
There are mulberry trees around, one opposite Granny Chan's for instance. Lots of banana. And the <a href="http://www.lamma.com.hk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1135">pandanus</a>, as we discussed earlier.

Today (20th Feb) a number of Bentham's rosewood bushes are in flower - unusually early - they usually appear early to mid March. Has global warming really sprung spring on us, or are we going to get used to the mild weather only to be zapped again with one of Freddy's dreaded Cold Weather Warnings in a week or two?