Lucky Bean Tree

Erythrina caffra, a.k.a. the coral tree or the lucky bean tree, silhouetted against this evening's light. Native to South Africa, this tree is the official tree of the city of Los Angeles (where the trees are designated as historic-cultural monuments!). There is even a "Brentwood Coral Tree Endowment Fund" which collects donations to pay to maintain the trees.

Amazingly, another South African native, Strelitzia reginae, the Bird of Paradise, is Los Angeles' official flower! Featured in my earlier blip.

The red beans are also officially symbols of good luck in South Africa. Well, at least among kids.

View it in LARGE (unfortunately, distracted a little bit by the wide angle lens vignetting on the corners).