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Erythrina crista-galli
  • Coral Tree

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

248px
Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • Nitrogen fixer
    Nitrogen fixer
    There are no details available for this function.
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • no shade
    No shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Acid to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 8
    Zone 8
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Erythrina crista-galli has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

The plant contains alkaloids that have powerful narcotic and purgative effects[1]. The seeds of all members of this genus are said to be poisonous[2].

Edible uses

There are no edible uses listed for Erythrina crista-galli.

Material uses

There are no material uses listed for Erythrina crista-galli.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The plant is narcotic and purgative[1].

Unknown part

Narcotic
Purgative

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nitrogen fixer

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

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[1]. Overwinter in a greenhouse and plant out in late spring or early summer.

Heeled cuttings of young growth in the spring in a frame[1]. Overwinter in a greenhouse and plant out in late spring or early summer.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Erythrina crista-galli. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Requires a moderately fertile well-drained soil in a very sunny position[1]. Best if given the protection of an east, south or south-west facing wall[1].

Plants are 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[1]. The top growth will be killed by the frost but new growth from the rootstock will flower in late summer[1]. A plant growing outdoors at the RHS Gardens in Wisley, Surrey, grows and flowers well in a warm sheltered corner[3]. Its root is mulched each winter to protect it from the cold[3]. A form called 'Compacta' is said to flower more freely than the type[4]. Plants take 3 - 4 years to flower from seed[1]. Plants are difficult to establish, taking some years to flower[5].

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[1].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Erythrina crista-galli. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Erythrina crista-galli.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Erythrina crista-galli
Genus
Erythrina
Family
Leguminosae
Imported References
Edible uses
Medicinal uses
[1]
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
[1]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Nitrogen fixer
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
8
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    deciduous
    Herbaceous or Woody
    woody
    Life Cycle
    perennial
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    3 x 2 meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Insects
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite

    "image:Erythrina crista-galli2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Erythrina crista-galli2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Erythrina crista-galli2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Erythrina crista-galli2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Erythrina crista-galli2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Erythrina crista-galli2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Erythrina crista-galli2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Erythrina crista-galli2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Erythrina crista-galli2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Erythrina crista-galli2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Erythrina crista-galli2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Erythrina crista-galli2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Erythrina crista-galli2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Erythrina crista-galli2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Erythrina crista-galli2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? 1.001.011.021.031.041.051.061.071.081.091.101.11 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    2. ? Diggs, Jnr. G.M.; Lipscomb. B. L. & O'Kennon. R. J [Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas] Botanical Research Institute, Texas. (1999-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.1 Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2 Pan Books, London. ISBN 0-330-37376-5 (1998-00-00)
    4. ? Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. ISBN 0 460 86048 8 (1990-00-00)
    5. ? Davis. B. Climbers and Wall Shrubs. Viking. ISBN 0-670-82929-3 (1990-00-00)

    "image:Erythrina crista-galli2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    Retrieved from "https://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Erythrina_crista-galli&oldid=77158"
    Facts about "Erythrina crista-galli"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familyLeguminosae +
    Belongs to genusErythrina +
    Functions asNitrogen fixer +
    Has binomial nameErythrina crista-galli +
    Has common nameCoral Tree +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has fertility typeInsects +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has hardiness zone8 +
    Has imageErythrina crista-galli2.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typePerennial +
    Has mature height3 +
    Has mature width2 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useNarcotic + and Purgative +
    Has primary imageErythrina crista-galli2.jpg +
    Has search nameerythrina crista-galli + and coral tree +
    Has shade toleranceNo shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy +, Loamy + and Clay +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy nameErythrina crista-galli +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is deciduous or evergreenDeciduous +
    Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedYes +
    PFAF material use notes migratedYes +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedNo +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
    Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Erythrina crista-galli + and Erythrina crista-galli +