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Botanical name |
Erythrina lysistemon |
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Other names |
(Common) coral tree; lucky-bean tree; koraalboom (Afrikaans); mophete (Tswana); umsinsi (Zulu) |
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Family |
Papilionoideae |
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Dimensions |
A small to medium deciduous tree of about 6 m with a spreading crown; in ideal circumstances it may sometimes reach 12 m in height |
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Description of stem |
Smooth, light grey to yellow-brown varying colouring; scattered thorns on younger branches occasionally persist; the wood is soft |
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Description of leaves |
Trifoliolate, up to 17 cm, on a long petiole that often has scattered hooked spines which also occur on the leaf midrib and larger veins; apex narrowly attenuate, base broadly tapering, margin entire |
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Description of flowers |
Dense heads of narrow, outwardly curved, bright red or scarlet flowers hanging from long sturdy stalks and supported by a sturdy greyish calyx; flowering during late winter and spring before the leaves appear, sometimes heralding crop planting season to indigenous tribes; one petal on each flower envelopes the rest; rich in nectar, popular with nectarivore bird species |
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Desciption of seed/fruit |
A long narrow seed pod of up to 15 cm that soon turns grey, brown or black and has marked constrictions between the individual orange to red coloured seeds; occuring in summer |
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Description of roots |
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Variation |
There is unconfirmed mention of a light pink flowering variety; E. sykesii found in |
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Propagation and cultivation |
Grown from seed, cuttings or truncheons; seed said to germinate better if scarified (surface scratched, weakened by applying sandpaper); fast-growing, somewhat drought tolerant, but thrives in good summer rain and well-drained soil |
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Tolerances |
Grows well in soil of varying acidity |
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Uses |
A common and popular garden tree, frequently planted in public parks and along streets; the bark is used in preparation of an infusion used to ease childbirth; the bark or crushed leaves used in treating open sores and arthritis; the plant is also used in treating ear ache; the seeds contain a substance that prevents blood-clotting and may have value in treating thrombosis; inconclusive research has been reported on an extract having been used in treating menopausal problems (www.bepress.com); browsed by several game species; the seeds are used as lucky charms or beads for necklaces |
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Ecological rarity |
Common |
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Pests and diseases |
Prone to spider mites |
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Other |
Similar to E. caffra that grows in the eastern coastal parts of |
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Location |
Open woodland, mountain slopes, bushveld and coastal thickets; medium to higher rainfall areas; wide range of altitudes |
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Distribution (SA provinces) |
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Country |
South Africa; Swaziland; Zimbabwe; Angola; Mozambique; Botswana; Mozambique; Malawi |
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Info: Palgrave; www.plantzafrica.com |
