Botanical Charactersitics:
This shrub is found at edges of coastal forests and thickets in Florida, Texas, Mexico, Central and South America. It is hardy to 25 °F. It is a medium to large shrub, and it grows to a mature size of about 8-10 ft. tall with an irregular rounded crown. The trunk is short, bearing several arching stems. The bark is a yellowish-brown, roughened by lenticels (raised pore in bark). The leaves are slightly hairy when young then becoming glabrous (smooth). This tree provides food and shelter for wildlife and the flowers attract bees, butterflies, hummingbirds.
Ethnobotany:
The common name refers to the shrub's silvery color and the pods that resemble beads on a necklace. Seeds are dangerous to eat because they contain an alkaloid, cytisine, which is emetic and purgative.