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Summary

Physical Characteristics

Erythrina herbacea is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8 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

E. arborea. Small.

Plant Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers Leaves
Edible Uses:

Flowers - cooked. An acceptable vegetable when boiled[183]. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. Young leaves - occasionally cooked and eaten[183].

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.
Antiemetic Diuretic Narcotic Purgative Tonic

The plant is narcotic and purgative[200]. A cold infusion of the root has been used to treat bowel pain in women[257]. A decoction of the roots or berries has been used to treat nausea, constipation and blocked urination[257]. A decoction of the 'beans' or inner bark has been used as a body rub and steam for numb, painful limbs and joints[257]. A decoction of the leaves has been used as a general tonic[257].

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]. Becoming a tree in the south of its range, this species is shrubby or even herbaceous towards the limits of its northerly range[229]. 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[200]. 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[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

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

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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

NORTHERN AMERICA: United States (Alabama, Arkansas (south), Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina (southeast), South Carolina (east & south), Texas (east)), Mexico (Tamaulipas)

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 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
Erythrina zeyheri	Prickly Cardinal	Shrub	1.0	8-11		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 herbacea - L.