This fast-growing, drought-tolerant tree (a relative of India's famous neem tree) came to the United States from Asia as an ornamental back in the 1880s, and has spread across the country. In fact, in some areas chinaberry (also called an umbrella tree, for its arching canopy of lacy green leaves) is considered invasive. It grows in clumps, sometimes occupying habitats that native trees enjoy, and may crowd out the natives.
We have a chinaberry here at the shop, and I always point it out to visitors as an herbal tree--especially in the spring, when it is covered with light lavender-pink blossoms. From a distance, the tree seems to be enveloped in a cloud of lilac smoke. The berries persist throughout the winter, giving the tree a lovely silhouette against a dark winter sky.
In the far East, this tree plays a role in herbal medicine: its bark is emetic and has been used to treat intestinal parasites. It is also thought to have anti-viral and anti-cancer properties, although there is no scientific confirmation of this. A strong tea made from ground seeds or bark, mixed with water and dishwashing liquid and sprayed on grass, has been used as a flea and insect repellent. (Birds don't seem to be affected by the toxicity, although they may get drunk on the fermented berries.)
I like to demonstrate another use for chinaberries: making a bead necklace. In India, this tree is called the Bead Tree, and its seeds are valued for their use as beads. If you have chinaberry trees, you might want to try your hand at making beads. Boil the berries (they're toxic, so use a pan that you don't use to cook with) to soften and remove the fleshy covering. Drain. When they're dry, they'll turn a soft bone-white. You can dye them with food coloring or fabric dye--a quarter teaspoon in a half cup of hot water will do the trick. (In the photo, I've dyed the red with fabric dye, the blue with Wilton's food coloring.) The hardest part is drilling the center hole without cracking the seed. I use a Dremel drill with a 1-2 mm bit (be careful!), and position the berry in a small vise to hold it. String on waxed linen thread or filament, alone or with other beads.
Other seeds make beautiful botanical beads: Job's tears, castor beans, datura, acorns, melons. And of course, there are rose beads, made from rose petals. Check out the directions in the May 20th entry in the Book of Days.
Herb writer Susan Belsinger has written an article about Ruth J. Smith's fascinating collection, part of which Smith donated to Kew Gardens. The article will give you some ideas for experimenting with seed beads and starting your own collection.
Have you made seed beads? Have a story to tell, or information to offer? Share by posting a comment.
And drop in next Monday (the day before the mid-term elections), when I'll be posting on Election Cake!