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Erythrina fusca

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Erythrina fusca Lour.

Family Name: Fabaceae (Leguminosae)
Synonyms: Erythrina caffra, Erythrina viarum, Erythrina ovalifolia, Erythrina glauca
Common Name: Coral Tree, Chengkring, Purple Coral Tree, Coral Bean Tree, Lucky Bean Tree, Bucayo, Swamp Erythrina, Kaffirboom, Cape Kaffirboom, Chekring

Name

Family Name
Genus Epithet
Species Epithet
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Name Status (botanical)
Synonyms
Common Names
Comments

Classifications and Characteristics

Plant Division Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon)
Plant Growth Form Tree (Medium (16m-30m), Small (6m-15m))
Lifespan (in Singapore) Perennial
Mode of Nutrition Autotrophic
Maximum Height 10 m to 15 m
Tree or Palm – Trunk Diameter 1 m

Biogeography

Native Distribution Central America, South America
Native Habitat Terrestrial (Coastal Forest, Riverine), Shoreline (Sandy Beach)
Preferred Climate Zone Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal

Description and Ethnobotany

Flowers Flowers have bright red or peach fleshy petals. The inflorescence is a raceme (stalked flowers held along one main axis).
Fruit Fruits are flattened woody pods (15-20 cm long, 2 cm wide). The pod has a velvet-like texture and is pointed at the apex. Each pod contains 3 - 15 ellipsoid seeds (1.2 cm long).
Others - Plant Morphology Growth Form: Deciduous, medium-sized tree with a round crown. Habitat: Occurs in tropical or subtropical lowland forests at altitudes from 0 - 2,000 m. Found near streams, swamps and seashores. Trunk: Short trunk is 1 m dbh (diameter at breast height which is ~1.4 m). Trunk and branches bear short prickles (1 - 2 cm long). Flaky bark is brownish grey or brown. Foliage: Leaf is trifoliate, consisting of 3 ovate leaflets (8 - 14 cm long, 7 - 12 cm wide). The terminal leaflet is slightly larger than the lateral leaflets. Propagation: Propagate by seed or large cuttings (2 m long, 6 - 10 cm wide). Cuttings need to be placed in very moist soil for rooting.
Cultivation Compared to other Erythrina sp, this species is relatively easy-to-grow. This species will not grow well in shade. It is susceptible to the stem borer Betocera sp., a ring borer from the Family Lecanidae and fungi (eg., Calostibe striipora).
Etymology The genus "Erythrina" is derived from the Greek word for red ("eruthros"). The reference is to the red blossoms of many Erythrina spp.. The species epithet "fusca " is Latin for brownish grey. It may refer to the bark colour.
Ethnobotanical Uses Edible Plant Parts : Edible Leaves
Food (Fruit or Vegetable)
Others: Food: In Java, young leaves are consumed as a vegetable. Medicine: In Malaysia, the bark is used as a poultice to treat wounds. A decoction prepared from the roots is consumed or applied externally to treat beri-beri (a disease caused by a thiamine deficiency) . Other: This species can improve soil quality by adding nitrogen, because it has a mutually beneficial relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria. Farmers plant cacao and coffee in the shade of this tree to benefit from the added nitrogen. The seeds are poisonous and may be used as an insecticide against the American cockroach (Periplaneta americana).

Landscaping Features

Desirable Plant Features Ornamental Flowers
Landscape Uses Suitable for Roadsides, Coastal
Usage Hazard - Cons Spines/Thorns - Stem/Branch, Spines/Thorns - Trunk, Toxic Upon Ingestion

Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal

Pollination Method(s) Biotic (Fauna) (Vertebrates (Bird), Associated with: May be pollinated by hummingbirds in foreign countries.)
Seed or Spore Dispersal Abiotic (Water), Biotic (Fauna)

Plant Care and Propagation

Light Preference Full Sun
Water Preference Moderate Water
Plant Growth Rate Moderate
Rootzone Tolerance Fertile Loamy Soils, Well-Drained Soils, Poor Infertile Soils, Waterlogged Soils (Drains Site), Saline Soils / Salt Spray
Propagation Method Seed
Planting Distance 6 m to 12 m

Foliar

Mature Foliage Colour(s) Green
Mature Foliage Texture(s) Smooth
Foliar Type Compound (Trifoliate)
Foliar Arrangement Along Stem Alternate
Foliar Shape(s) Non-Palm Foliage (Ovate)
Foliar Venation Pinnate / Net
Foliar Margin Entire
Foliar Apex - Tip Acute
Foliar Base Acute, Rounded / Obtuse
Typical Foliar Area Macrophyll ( 182.25cm2 - 1640.25 cm2 )
Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio 3.0 (Tree - Intermediate Canopy)

Non - Foliar and Storage

Trunk Type (Non Palm) Woody
Bark Colour(s) Brownish grey, brown
Mature Bark Texture Peeling / Flaking / Papery
Root Type Underground (Tap Root)

Floral (Angiosperm)

Flower & Plant Sexuality Bisexual Flowers
Flower Colour(s) Orange, Red
Flower Symmetry Bilateral
Inflorescence Type Raceme
Flowering Habit Polycarpic

Fruit, Seed and Spore

Mature Fruit Colour(s) Brown
Fruit Classification Simple Fruit
Fruit Type Dehiscent Dry Fruit , Legume / Pod

Image Repository

Images

Others

Master ID 1586
Species ID 2879
Flora Disclaimer The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes.
Species record last updated on: 06 March 2023.
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