Large leaves up to 20 centimeters long, eye-catching flowers that are very similar to orchids and an extremely sprawling growth habit with a dense crown: the trumpet tree, which comes from the southeast of the USA, is a very impressive appearance, especially when it gets older a highlight in every garden. The fruits that the tree produces in autumn and which remain on the mother plant throughout the winter also contribute to this.
Are the fruits of the trumpet tree edible?
The fruits of the trumpet tree are bean-shaped, up to 40 centimeter long capsule fruits that emerge in autumn and remain on the tree all winter. They are inedible, slightly poisonous and can cause abdominal pain, diarrhea and vomiting.
Trumpet tree has many names
The bean-shaped capsule fruits - these are also legumes - can grow up to 40 centimeters long, but are only a maximum of five to seven millimeters long. They form gradually after the flowering period, and the flowers of the trumpet tree are hermaphrodite and can therefore fertilize themselves. Fertilization takes place primarily by bees, bumblebees and other insects, which are attracted by the delicate scent of flowers and find a richly laid table here. The initially green fruits remain on the tree throughout the winter and only open when the seeds are ripe the following spring. Due to its bean-like fruit capsules, the trumpet tree is also nicknamed “bean tree” and “cigar tree”.
The fruits are not edible
However, despite their similarity to nutritious legumes, the fruits of the trumpet tree are not edible, but inedible and even slightly poisonous. (Accidental) consumption can cause abdominal pain, diarrhea and vomiting, but does not lead to death. The only danger is confusion with the highly poisonous angel's trumpet, which is sometimes also sold under the name "trumpet tree". Furthermore, the laburnum, which is also deadly poisonous, is nicknamed the “bean tree” and also has similar-looking seed capsules - the fruits of both plant species are, in contrast to those of the trumpet tree, highly poisonous and can have fatal consequences.
Fruits contain many seeds
However, you can use the fruits of the trumpet tree to propagate it, because the capsules contain numerous seeds, especially after long and very warm summers. These are up to 2.5 millimeters long, flattened and hairy, frayed at both ends. Ideally, you should leave the seed-containing fruits hanging on the tree over the winter and harvest them as soon as they turn brown in spring. The seeds can then be collected and sown; they are very germinative.
Tip
In some years you may be unlucky because the fruits do not contain seeds. In such a case, the trumpet tree can also be easily propagated using cuttings.