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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Erythrina zeyheri is a deciduous Shrub growing to 1 m (3ft 3in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9 and is frost tender. It is in flower from July to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
It can fix Nitrogen.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;

Edible Uses

None known

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Narcotic Purgative

The plant is narcotic and purgative[200].

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

None known

Special Uses

Nitrogen Fixer

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Requires a moderately fertile well-drained soil in a very sunny position[200]. Best if given the protection of an east, south or south-west facing wall[200]. Plants are not very hardy outdoors in Britain though they experience at least moderate frosts in their native range and would be worthwhile trying outdoors in the very mildest areas of this country[200]. The stem bases should be thickly mulched with organic matter such as leaf litter or sawdust and covered with bracken[200]. The top growth will be killed by the frost but new growth from the rootstock will flower in late summer[200]. Plants take 3 - 4 years to flower from seed[200]. 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[200].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

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Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant 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[200]. Overwinter in a greenhouse and plant out in late spring or early summer. Heeled cuttings of young growth in the spring in a frame[200]. Overwinter in a greenhouse and plant out in late spring or early summer.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

AFRICA: Zimbabwe, Lesotho, South Africa (Cape Province (east), Free State, KwaZulu-Natal, Transvaal)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Erythrina acanthocarpa		Shrub	2.0	8-11		LMH	SN	M	0	1
Erythrina crista-galli	Coral Tree, Crybabytree	Shrub	3.0	7-10		LMH	N	M	0	1
Erythrina edulis	Balu. Andean tree bean	Tree	10.0	10-12	F	LMH	N	DM	3	2	3
Erythrina fusca	Coral Bean, Swamp Immortelle	Tree	15.0	10-12	M	LMH	N	DM	2	2	4
Erythrina herbacea	Cardinal Spear, Redcardinal	Perennial	1.0	7-10		LMH	SN	M	1	1
Erythrina humeana	Dwarf Kaffirboom, Dwarf erythrina	Shrub	4.0	8-11		LMH	SN	M	0	1
Erythrina poeppigiana	Mountain Immortelle. Madre de Cacao	Tree	25.0	10-12	F	LMH	N	DM	1	0	3
Erythrina sandwicensis	Wiliwili, Hawaiian coral tree	Tree	10.0	10-12	F	LMH	N	DM	0	2	2
Erythrina subumbrans	Dadap. December tree	Tree	20.0	10-12	F	LMH	N	DM	2	2	3
Erythrina verna	Mulungu	Tree	12.0	10-12	F	LMH	N	DM	0	4	2
Erythrina x bidwillii		Shrub	4.0	7-10		LMH	SN	M	0	1

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Erythrina zeyheri - Harv.