Coral Bean Erythrina herbacea
Itroduction
Erythrina herbacea is a shrub that
may attain a height of 20 feet but is often
smaller . It rarely exceeds a height of 8
feet in the northern and central sections
of Florida. The Coral Bean has compound leaves
that are semi-deciduous, and these 6- to
8-inch-long leaves are composed of three
shallow-lobed leaflets. The leaves are light
to medium green in color and have prickles
on their midribs; the prickles are found
on the underside of the leaflet. The stems
of this plant are also armed with short,
recurved spines. In south Florida, slender,
multiple trunks that are covered with pale,
thick bark are formed. Scarlet, tubular flowers
are borne in 2-foot-long terminal racemes
that can be enjoyed from April to June. These
flowers are attractive to hummingbirds. The
showy fruits of the Coral Bean are drooping
pods that are constricted between the seeds.
These pods split in the fall to reveal the
beautiful, scarlet seeds.
General Information
Scientific name: Erythrina herbacea
Pronunciation: air-rith-RYE-nuh hur-BAY-see-uh
Common name(s): Coral-Bean, Cardinal-Spear, Cherokee-
Bean
Family: Leguminosae
Plant type: perennial; herbaceous
USDA hardiness zones: 8 through 11
Planting month for zone 9: year round
Origin: native to Florida
Uses: border; mass planting; attracts hummingbirds;
container or above-ground planter
Availability: somewhat available, may have to
go out of the region to find the plant
Description
Height: 5 to 10 feet
Spread: 8 to 12 feet
Plant habit: round
Plant density: open
Growth rate: moderate
Texture: medium
Foliage
Leaf arrangement: alternate
Leaf type: trifoliate
Leaf margin: lobed
Leaf shape: deltoid
Leaf venation: pinnate
Leaf type and persistence: evergreen
Leaf blade length: 4 to 8 inches
Leaf color: green
Fall color: no fall color change
Fall characteristic: not showy
Flower
Flower color: red
Flower characteristic: spring flowering; summer
flowering
Fruit
Fruit shape: pod or pod-like
Fruit length: 3 to 6 inches
Fruit cover: dry or hard
Fruit color: unknown
Fruit characteristic: inconspicuous and not showy
Trunk and Branches
Trunk/bark/branches: thorns present; not particularly
showy
Current year stem/twig color: green
Current year stem/twig thickness: medium
Culture
Light requirement: plant grows in part shade/part
sun
Soil tolerances: acidic; slightly alkaline; sand;
loam;
Drought tolerance: high
Soil salt tolerances: moderate
Plant spacing: 36 to 60 inches
Other
Roots: usually not a problem
Winter interest: no special winter interest
Outstanding plant: not particularly outstanding
Invasive potential: native plant that often reproduces
into nearby landscapes
Pest resistance: no serious pests are normally
seen on the plant
Use and Management
Coral-Bean is often used to give a woodland planting
a naturalistic, informal effect. It is also
excellent as an accent or specimen plant.
The bright red flowers add beautiful highlights
to any landscape. It can be planted along
a fence where it will climb alone and cover
it. Derivatives of the plant have been used
as a laxative. Native Americans ate roots
to increase perspiration. The beans have
been used to poison rats and to paralyze
fish. Erythrina herbacea should be grown
in full sun or refers one that is fertile
and well-drained. Fertilize this plant once
or twice each year, and cut back the dead
tops in the winter. Propagate Coral-Bean
from scarified seed or cuttings; cuttings
root very easily.
Pests and Diseases
No pests or diseases are of major concern.
by Edward F. Gilman
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