Catalog #33 - Also known as an African tulip, it was first discovered in 1787 along the Gold Coast of Africa by Palisot Beauvois. Thought to possess magic by the local natives it was called "baton de sorcier". A member of the begonia family, the pods blossom into spectacular scarlet flowers. The tree is also called the fountain tree as the unopened buds will spit compressed water from them when squeezed, making them a favorite with young children as water pistols. |