Erythrina caffra (South African Coral tree)

Erythrina caffra (South African Coral tree) orange flower clusters on a branch close up
Erythrina caffra (South African Coral tree) orange flower clusters reaching toward the sky on branches

Botanical names: Erythrina caffra, Erythrina constantiana, Erythrina insignis

Common names: South African Coral tree, Kaffirboom

Family: Fabaceae

Subfamily: Faboideae

Origin: South Africa

USDA Plant Hardiness Map

USDA Zone: 9-11

Large tree taller than 20 ftSmall tree 10-20 ftPlant form: Large or medium tree
Plant mature sizeMature height: 20 ft or more
Full sunSun exposure: Full sun or bright light indoor
Cold toleranceCold tolerance: Frost sensitive. Protect from freezing.
Watering: Moderate. Water when top soil feels dryWatering: Moderate
Red, crimson, vinous flowersYellow, orange flowersFlower color: Red, crimson, vinous; yellow, orange
Suitable forSuitable for: Outdoors in the suitable USDA zone; large gardens
Deciduous plantFoliage: Deciduous
Thorny or spinyThorns: Thorny or spiny
Plant attracts butterflies, hummingbirdsWildlife: Attracts butterflies and hummingbirds

Erythrina caffra is often confused with Erythrina lysistemon, the Common Coral tree. Erythrina caffra grows in the coastal and riverine fringe forests from Port Shepstone in KwaZulu-Natal to the Humansdorp District in Eastern Cape and in a pocket further north on the KwaZulu-Natal coast. It is generally taller than Erythrina lysistemon, the flowers are orange-scarlet, and a cream-flowered form is occasionally seen, and the standard petal is shorter and broader so that the stamens stick out of the flower giving it a whiskered look. In most other respects they are very similar, and were in fact regarded as the same variable species for many years and, when not in flower, are difficult to tell apart.

Similar plants: Erythrina caffra (South African Coral tree)

More similar plants


Image gallery: 15 images
Erythrina caffra (South African Coral tree) orange flower, close up on curved woody branch.
Erythrina caffra (South African Coral tree) orange flower clusters reach out from bare woody stems.
Erythrina caffra (South African Coral tree) orange flower close up on a woody branch
Erythrina caffra (South African Coral tree) orange tubular flower clusters on a leafless tree branch.
Erythrina caffra (South African Coral tree) thick brown tree trunk with many large branches
Erythrina caffra (South African Coral tree) trunk splitting into wide branches above the ground level
Erythrina caffra (South African Coral tree) orange flower cluster close up on woody tree branch.
Erythrina caffra (South African Coral tree) orange flower clusters grow along the woody tree branches.
Erythrina caffra (South African Coral tree) orange seeds close up on white paper surface
Erythrina caffra (South African Coral tree) orange seeds positioned near a wooden measuring ruler
Erythrina caffra (South African Coral tree) orange flower tree with widespread branches and green leaves.
Erythrina caffra (South African Coral tree) dense with orange flower clusters spread across wooden branches.
Erythrina caffra (South African Coral tree) orange flower close up on tree branches
Erythrina caffra (South African Coral tree) orange flower attached to thick grey wooden tree branches
Erythrina caffra (South African Coral tree) green leaves and orange flowers on tree branches.
Erythrina caffra (South African Coral tree) showing green foliage and orange flowers on tree branches.
Erythrina caffra (South African Coral tree) orange flower close up on branch
Erythrina caffra (South African Coral tree) orange flower attached to a slender wooden branch
Erythrina caffra (South African Coral tree) orange flower close up held in a palm.
Erythrina caffra (South African Coral tree) orange flower resting in a palm of a hand.
Erythrina caffra (South African Coral tree) green leaves on branch, close up nature plant photo.
Erythrina caffra (South African Coral tree) showing shiny green leaves spreading from the main stem.
Erythrina caffra (South African Coral tree) orange flower on large tree branches with green leaves
Erythrina caffra (South African Coral tree) orange flower clusters on thick grey tree branches with foliage.
Erythrina caffra (South African Coral tree) orange flower close up on branch
Erythrina caffra (South African Coral tree) orange flower clusters growing from a woody branch.
Erythrina caffra (South African Coral tree) orange flower on a tall branching tree
Erythrina caffra (South African Coral tree) branches covered in many orange flower clusters against blue sky
Erythrina caffra (South African Coral tree) orange seeds close up scattered on white surface
Erythrina caffra (South African Coral tree) orange seeds lie scattered across a clean white surface


Link to this plant:
https://toptropicals.com/catalog/uid/erythrina_caffra.htm
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