Llagunoa nitida

Native to Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia, this Andean shrub or small tree bears small flowers without petals. The flowers have a cup-shaped calyx; the male flowers bear eight unequal stamens. The fruit is a rounded, three-part capsule that opens through three valves to expose glossy black seeds. These seeds have traditionally been used to make rosaries. In Peru, its straight, thick stems are also used for agricultural tool handles. Photographed in Bogotá, Colombia.