Hamburger bean (Mucuna sloanei)
seed
BOTANICAL SPECIMENSUSA, Florida; USA, Puerto Rico; USA, Hawaii; Africa
overall: 1 x 1 x 5/8 in.
Seed; Hamburger bean (Mucuna sloanei); from the collection of Captain Richard C. Mears (1829-1899); one seed, scientific name Mucuna sloanei, also known as a hamburger bean or a horse eye bean, which is typically found in Florida, Puerto Rico, the Hawaiian Islands, and parts of Africa; generally known as "sea beans" or "drift seeds" due to the water playing a part in their geographical spread; dark brown casing, found in the plant's hanging seed pods (one pod per yellow flower in each flower cluster), with each pod having anywhere from one to three seeds, though two is the average; they have been used in dyes, for medicinal purposes, games, decoration, and food.
2005.34.251