Adenanthera

/ˌædənænˈθɛrə/ noun

Definition

A tropical tree genus in the legume family known for its hard, red seeds that were historically used as a unit of weight in jewelry.

Etymology

From Greek 'aden' (gland) + 'anthera' (anther, the pollen-producing part of a flower). The name refers to the gland-like structures on the flower's anthers.

Kelly Says

These seeds were so uniform and reliable that they became the basis for carat weights in gemstones—a single seed equaled one carat, and that standard persists in jewelry today!

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