Chilicote, Harbinger of the Monsoons
In this video, Mike Foster talks about the Western Coral Bean or Chilicote and it’s connection to the more tropical mountains of Mexico.
Chilicote is a shrub or small tree in more tripical regions of Mexico, leafless much of the year and bright red flowers in June in advance of the monsoons. Coral-bean can grow to 15 ft. with a singular trunk. In the United States borderlands, it is usually a shrub due to the more inclimate winters. Much of the year the shrub is leafless. In June, clusters of red, tubular flowers sprout from the stem tips. The plants are most noticeable in fall when the pods open to reveal dark-orange seeds.
Watch this video.
Mike Foster, San Pedro River Videos, is an ardent supporter of the Friends of the San Pedro River which serves to educate people about the value of the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area (SPRNCA). Please visit the site at: http://www.sanpedroriver.org and Friends of the San Pedro River on Facebook to join and learn more about conserving this important ecosystem.