Erythrina herbacea (Coral tree)
Botanical name: Erythrina herbacea
Common names: Coral tree, Coral bean, Cardinal-spear, Cherokee-bean
Family: Fabaceae
Subfamily: Faboideae
Origin: Mexico and southern USA














This plant has compound leaves with three leaflets, showy scarlet blossoms in spring, followed by large beans which split to reveal bright red seeds in summer and fall. In nature can be found in a forest or natural area in open sandy woods and clearings; weedy in disturbed areas along roadsides, naturalized; landscape as cultivated herbaceous flowering shrub. Seeds are poisonous, but young leaves and flowers may be cooked and safely eaten.
See article about this plant: Coral Bean - Hummingbird Delight.
Similar plants: Erythrina herbacea (Coral tree)
- Butea monosperma (Flame of the Forest)
- Erythrina abyssinica (Coral Tree)
- Erythrina amazonica (Amazon Coral Tree)
- Erythrina bidwillii (Indian Coral Tree)
- Erythrina caffra (South African Coral tree)
- Erythrina coralloides (Naked Coral Tree)
- Erythrina crista-galli (Cry Baby Tree)
- Erythrina decora (Namib Coral Tree)
- Erythrina edulis (Chachafruto)
- Erythrina fusca (Cape Kaffirboom)
Link to this plant:
https://toptropicals.com/catalog/uid/erythrina_herbacea.htm