Purple Coraltree

(Erythrina fusca)

Purple Coraltree (Erythrina fusca)

Tauʻolunga

CC BY-SA 3.0

Image By: Tauʻolunga

Recorded By:

Copyright Notice: Photo by: Tauʻolunga | License Type: CC BY-SA 3.0 | License URL: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/ | Uploader: Tauʻolunga | Publisher: Wikipedia Commons

Estimated Native Range

Summary

Erythrina fusca, commonly known as Purple Coraltree, is a deciduous tree with spiny bark, native to mangrove forests, coastal swamps, and riverbanks in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. It typically grows to a height and width of 12-50 feet (3.7-15.2 meters). The Purple Coraltree is notable for its striking bicolored orange and red flowers that bloom in the fall, winter, and spring, attracting pollinators such as hummingbirds. Its legume pods can reach 20 centimeters (7.9 inches) in length and contain dark brown seeds that are buoyant, which allows them to disperse across oceans. This adaptation is particularly useful in its native habitat, where water dispersal is a key mechanism for colonization of new areas.

The Purple Coraltree is valued for its ease of growth and attractive flowering, making it a popular choice for ornamental shade and hedge plantings. It is also used for erosion control due to its robust root system. In cultivation, it thrives in full sun and can tolerate a range of water conditions, from low to medium, and is adaptable to various soil types with different drainage speeds. Despite its ornamental value, gardeners should be cautious as the tree can become invasive in certain regions outside its native range. Additionally, its spiny bark and seeds, which contain toxic alkaloids, can pose a hazard to humans and animals if ingested.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

Plant Type: Tree
Height: 12-50 feet
Width: 12-50 feet
Growth Rate: Moderate
Flower Color: Orange, Red
Flowering Season: Fall, Winter, Spring
Leaf Retention: Deciduous

Growth Requirements

Sun: Full Sun
Water: Medium
Drainage: Slow, Medium, Fast

Common Uses

Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Drought Tolerant, Edible*Disclaimer: Easyscape's listed plant edibility is for informational use. Always verify the safety and proper identification of any plant before consumption., Hummingbird Garden

Natural Habitat

Mangrove forests, coastal swamps, and riverbanks in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide

Other Names

Common Names: Coral Bean, Gallito, Bois Immortelle, Bucayo, Swamp Immortelle, Swamp Imortelle, Coral-Bean, Purple Coraltree, Swamp Immortelle, Cape Kaffirboom

Scientific Names: , Erythrina fusca, Erythrina glauca, Erythrina ovalifolia, Erythrina patens, Corallodendron fuscum, Corallodendron glaucum, Corallodendron ovalifolium, Corallodendron patens, Duchassaingia glauca

GBIF Accepted Name: Erythrina fusca Lour.