Broad-leaved coral tree
Habit and the very large, ovate leaflets
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Subfamily: Faboideae
Genus: Erythrina
Species:
E. latissima
Binomial name
Erythrina latissima
Synonyms
  • Chirocalyx mollissimus Meisn.
  • Erythrina gibbsae Baker
  • Erythrina sandersoni Harv.

The broad-leaved coral tree (Erythrina latissima) is a deciduous tree from southern Africa growing 5 to 8 m tall.[1] It is a member of the Fabaceae and occurs naturally in the Afrotemperate mist-belt of South Africa and Eswatini to the uplands of Mozambique, Zimbabwe and adjacent Botswana.[2] It is often cultivated as a tree for gardens and parks.[3] In Zimbabwe its range overlaps with the similar Erythrina abyssinica.

It has pubescent branchlets and fissured, corky bark. The foliage is soft and initially woolly in texture, with some prickles and prominently raised venation below.[3][2] Their scarlet flowers with red, densely velvety calyxes may appear from winter to early summer,[2] usually before new foliage is produced. The fruit is a cylindrical articulated pod, bearing orange to red seeds with a black spot.[3]

References

  1. ↑ Tarr, B.B. "Erythrina latissima". PlantZAfrica.com. South African National Biodiversity Institute. Retrieved 17 October 2012.
  2. 1 2 3 Hyde, Mark; et al. "Erythrina latissima". Flora of Zimbabwe. zimbabweflora.co.zw. Retrieved 17 October 2012.
  3. 1 2 3 Van Wyk, Braam; et al. (1997). Field Guide to the Trees of Southern Africa. Cape Town: Struik. p. 391. ISBN 1-86825-922-6.

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