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Synonym:Erythrina indica var. picta Synonym:Erythrina indica Synonym:Erythrina orientalis Synonym:Erythrina variegata var. orientalis Synonym:Erythrina parcellii
Hardiness: USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F) USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Sun Exposure: Full Sun
Danger: Seed is poisonous if ingested Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested
Bloom Color: Red
Bloom Time: Mid Spring
Foliage: Deciduous Variegated
Other details: Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Soil pH requirements: 6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic) 6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
Patent Information: Non-patented
Propagation Methods: From woody stem cuttings From softwood cuttings From semi-hardwood cuttings From hardwood cuttings From seed; germinate in vitro in gelatin, agar or other medium
Seed Collecting: Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds Remove fleshy coating on seeds before storing
On Aug 1, 2009, Joan from Belfield, ND (Zone 4a) wrote:Editor's Note
Some resources list all parts, mainly the seeds, of all Erythrina as mildly toxic. Young leaves and flowers of some species may be cooked and safely eaten.
Symptoms include nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. The toxic principals are alkaloids and cyanogenic glycoside.
We tend to err on the side of caution in PlantFiles, and the danger notation in the details above is to caution gardeners, parents and pet owners to look further for more information before eating.
On Aug 16, 2008, mnapeterson22 from Deerfield Beach, FL wrote:
This tree is native to Hawaii, and get EGW pest. (erythina gull wasps) which give the bubbly effect and the tree starts to die. I have been in contact with U of Hawaii and they say to spray tree with a product that has (MERIT) registered trademark product every several months. they are working on a product for the US. This spared my tree, we really thought it was a goner!!
On Sep 29, 2004, desertboot from (Zone 10a) wrote:
Spectacular when in full bloom. Thrives well in Zone 10a to 11. Characterised by distinct "streaky" bark: pale green and brown
In August, was gifted an assortment of 20 cuttings (semi-hardwood, woody stem and hardwood heel; each approximately 4 feet in length, 3" dia) of both E.variegata and E.indica from upcountry Coorg where the trees are planted for shade between coffee. All cuttings, incidentally, were from two trees that had come down in a gale. The cuttings were treated with rooting compound prior to placing. The good news is that 16 of them have taken root and are sprouting strongly: bright green triads of leaves. It'll probably take them a few years to start flowering, but then, that's always half the pleasure of the journey!
On Sep 28, 2004, einaudi from Hana, HI (Zone 11) wrote:
E. variegata (common names include Coral Tree and Tiger's Claw) is a striking tree, strongly branched, gray bark, growing to 60-70 feet. It is deciduous, with spring leaves preceded by bright scarlet flowers 2 inches long arranged on terminal racemes that are up to 8 inches long. Our trees in Hana bloom in February and are followed by leaves that are triangular shaped, bright green with pale yellow-green veins (my guess is that the species name 'variegata' comes from the color difference between leaf and veins??).
On Jun 5, 2004, palmbob from Tarzana, CA (Zone 9b) wrote:
Tall, sometimes strikingly upright and narrow (sometimes not) large tree with diamond shaped variegated leaves and red flowers that open up along the end of a branch for about 12" or more. Tree I saw in Hawaii was done flowering, and leaves were just coming in so I have no photos of flowers... oh well . Leaves didn't look too variegated, either... hmmm
The Coral Tree blossoms first, then leaves out with broad green foliage. The tree is ablaze with clusters of bright red blossoms shaped much like the beak of a bird. With no leaves to block the view, the red flowers make it a hard tree to ignore. Then, as the flowers age, dropping off layer by layer, the leaves begin to show. By the beginning of summer in San Diego, all the red is gone, replaced by thick, rich green.
The image attached was taken in mid-March, 2003.
The tree is growing in poor soil, primarily red-sandy soil atop very dense hard-pan. It is doing well, and has done for more than ten years.
ŠAnthony Mournian
Regional...
This plant has been said to grow in the following regions:
Boca Raton, Florida Mulberry, Florida Vieques, Puerto Rico
One vendor has this plant for sale.
