Could it be Enterolobium cyclocarpium?

I agree its Enterolobium, or commonly called Ear Tree as the pods are somewhat ear shaped. The species is actually E. contortisiliquum. Its been misidentified as E. cyclocarpum for decades. It is native to Brazil, Bolivia, N. Argentina, Paraguay, and N.Uruguay. In central FL it has naturalized but I wouldn't consider it invasive. It usually pops up wild in open disturbed areas but I rarely see it in wild undisturbed locations. It will grow into a magnificent giant tree but unfortuneately is way too big for most average sized yards. It will grow in moist locations but is also very drought tolerant.

Eric
Orlando,FL

Thank you, both! That's exactly what it is. I looked up rattle pod, comma pod, circle pod, etc. Never thought it might be called 'ear pod'. lol

"...too big for average sized yards." Ah well... Anybody want the seed pod I picked up? I might try to start the seeds for the next swap.

Kate

They do get huge. They have a big surface root system and can be weak wooded unless they are trained to a good branch structure. Since they are so fast growing, the wood is very light. After the 2004 hurricanes, untrained trees tended to lose big branches. A few around Orlando that have been maintained suffered minimal damage. In sprink the get small white flowers followed by the pods.

Soak the seeds for a day or 2 then plant, they should quickly germinate and the trees are very fast growing. They can easily grow 4-6ft in a year so be prepared. It is more suited to large estates,gardens, parks, or campuses. Think of it sizewise almost like a banyan tree.

Eric
Orlando,FL

Here are some photos of large specimens

on Lake Killarney in Winter Park;

at the Ringling Estate in Sarasota

and the FL Champion specimen at Fairchild Gardens in Miami, hard to see the whole tree as there is thick vegetation around it