Practical
Plants

Erythrina herbacea

Cardinal Spear

a perennial member of the Erythrina genus in the family Leguminosae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
1 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The plant contains alkaloids that have powerful narcotic and purgative effects[2]. The seeds contain numerous toxic alkaloids, including erysodine and erysopine. They have an action similar to curare and have been used as a rat poison[5].

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Flowers - cooked. An acceptable vegetable when boiled[1]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. Young leaves - occasionally cooked and eaten[1].

Plant part
Flowers
Plant part
Leaves

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The plant is narcotic and purgative[2]. A cold infusion of the root has been used to treat bowel pain in women[4]. A decoction of the roots or berries has been used to treat nausea, constipation and blocked urination[4]. A decoction of the 'beans' or inner bark has been used as a body rub and steam for numb, painful limbs and joints[4]. A decoction of the leaves has been used as a general tonic[4].

Product or use
Antiemetic
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Narcotic
Product or use
Purgative
Product or use
Tonic

Environment

Range
South-eastern N. America - North Carolina to Texas.
Habitat
Sandy soils in hummocks, the coastal plain and pinelands[3].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 8+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - pre-soak for 12 hours in warm water and sow spring in a greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame[2]. Overwinter in a greenhouse and plant out in late spring or early summer. Heeled cuttings of young growth in the spring in a frame[2]. Overwinter in a greenhouse and plant out in late spring or early summer.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Requires a moderately fertile well-drained soil in a very sunny position[2]. Best if given the protection of an east, south or south-west facing wall[2]. Becoming a tree in the south of its range, this species is shrubby or even herbaceous towards the limits of its northerly range[3]. It is not very hardy outdoors in Britain though the rootstock can tolerate temperatures down to about -10°c provided the stem bases are thickly mulched with organic matter such as leaf litter or sawdust and covered with bracken[2]. Alternatively, the roots can be lifted in the autumn and stored in a cool frost-free place, replanting in the spring. Plants take 3 - 4 years to flower from seed[2]. This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[2].

References

  1. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

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  2. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

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  3. Elias. T. The Complete Trees of N. America. Field Guide and Natural History. Van Nostrand Reinhold Co. 1980-00-00 ISBN 0442238622

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  4. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

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  5. Diggs, Jnr. G.M.; Lipscomb. B. L. & O'Kennon. R. J Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas Botanical Research Institute, Texas. 1999-00-00 http://artemis.austincollege.edu/acad/bio/gdiggs/NCTXpdf.htm

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