While kayaking on South Chickamauga Creek in NW Georgia last week I came across a seed pod I would like to identify. It is fairly large (1 1/2"x1 1/4") round with a smooth shiny black surface. It resembles a buckeye or chestnut with a hard shell but is hollow. When shaken it rattles with small seeds(?). I don't want to cut it open yet if I don't have to. I will appreciate any info that I can get. Thank you.
I had wondered if these actually were old buckeye seeds. Apparently you were fooled by their deteriorated condition.
