American coralbean, Flor de colorin
Erythrina americana

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A tree. It grows 5 m tall. The branches spread out wide. There are spines along the trunk. The leaves have 3 leaflets. These are oval and 7-22 cm long. The leaves fall off during dry winter seasons. The flower petals are red. The fruit are pods 12 cm long. These are squeezed in between the seeds. The pod has a long narrow beak at the tip. The seeds are about 1 cm long and are red.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant.

Countries/locations it is found in

America, Central America, Mexico, North America, Peru, South America

How it is used for food

The petals and young flowers are fried and eaten. They are added to eggs to make an omelet. They are also added to salads and soups. The tender leaves are used as greens. Caution: The seeds are poisonous.

Edible parts

Flowers, petals, leaves, caution - seeds

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Alcaparra, Chontal, Colorin, Equimexochitl, Equimite, Gasparito, Ihalhni, Madre, Mote, Pichoco, Pito, Quelite dormilon, Tzompantle

Synonyms

Corallodendron americanum (Mill.) Kuntze; Erythrina carnea Aiton; Erythrina enneandra DC.; Erythrina fulgens Loisel.;