mescal bean

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mescal bean

A gardener carefully examines the bright red mescal beans on a flowering shrub.

Definition
  1. Noun:
    • A type of plant: The "mescal bean" is a shrub or small tree. It is characterized by having compound (pinnate) leaves that are toxic to livestock, clusters (racemes) of very fragrant blue flowers, and seeds that are red beans.
Usage Examples
  • Noun:
    • The hiker was warned not to touch the mescal bean because its leaves are poisonous.
    • In the spring, the mescal bean is easily identified by its intensely fragrant blue flowers.
    • Despite their attractive color, the red beans of the mescal bean plant are not edible.
Advanced Usage
  • The term "mescal bean" is primarily used in botanical and ecological contexts to identify this specific plant species. It is important for ranchers and livestock owners to recognize it due to its toxicity.
  • Historically, the hard red seeds ("beans") of this plant were used by some Indigenous peoples for ceremonial and decorative purposes, but they contain dangerous alkaloids and are not related to the agave plant used to make the alcoholic beverage mescal.
Variants and Related Words
  • Sophora secundiflora (n): This is the scientific (Latin) name for the mescal bean plant.
  • Texas mountain laurel (n): A common alternative name for the same plant, often used in horticulture and landscaping.
  • Frijolito (n): Another regional name for the plant.
Synonyms
  • Coral bean (Note: This can sometimes cause confusion as "coral bean" often refers to plants in the genus . "Mescal bean" specifically refers to ).
Notes on Meaning
  • Important Distinction: A "mescal bean" is not a bean used to make the alcoholic drink mescal (which is made from the agave plant). It is a completely different plant whose seeds are sometimes called "beans" due to their appearance.
  • The primary meaning refers to the entire plant (), but it can also refer specifically to its distinctive red seed.
mescal bean

A gardener carefully examines the bright red mescal beans on a flowering shrub.

Noun
  1. shrub or small tree having pinnate leaves poisonous to livestock and dense racemes of intensely fragrant blue flowers and red beans

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