Description

Erythrina is known as the red genus, and E. caffra is widely loved for its warm red to scarlet-coloured flowers, which appear from the cold winter months through to spring. Its popularity can be ascribed to its ease of cultivation and long flowering period. The coast coral tree is an ideal garden plant and, because of its unique appearance, it has continued to attract the attention of botanists, horticulturists, nature lovers, and the general gardening public for many decades.

Erythrina caffra is a medium- to large-sized deciduous tree, 9-12 x 7-11 m. Its size depends largely on the climate and soil conditions. This species forms a round-headed, spreading canopy and has a beautiful light green appearance when in leaf. Trees may even reach a height of 20 m in coastal and forested regions where the conditions are optimal. Some of the largest and most beautiful specimens grow in the Addo National Park’s Alexandria Forest where, next to the yellowwoods, they are the tallest trees. The trunk and branches are grey, sometimes set with short, sharp prickles.

As with all other erythrina, the leaves are typically trifoliate (three leaflets), which are broadly ovate (egg-shaped) to elliptic (oval and narrowed to rounded ends, widest at or about the middle), the terminal leaflet being the largest, 80-160 x 80-180 mm. The lateral leaves are slightly smaller and without hairs or prickles. The leaflet petiole (leaflet stalk) is up to 160 mm long and with or without prickles. The leaves closely resemble those of a sister species, E. lysistemon (sacred coral tree), which is why it was for many years thought to be the same species. When not in flower it can be rather difficult to tell the two species apart.