Eastern coral bean
Erythrina herbacea
Family: Fabaceae
What it is like
A deciduous shrub which keeps growing from year to year. It grows 1.2-6 m high. The leaves have 3 leaflets. The leaves are triangle shaped and 12 cm long. The leaf stalks have prickles. The flowers are bright red. The standard of the flower can be 5 cm long. The flowers clusters are 60 cm long. The fruit are leathery pods. They are 10-20 cm long. The seeds are bright red.
There are 108 Erythrina species.
Where it is found
It is a warm temperate plant. It needs sandy, well drained soil. It needs full sun. It suits hardiness zones 8-10.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia, Central America, Hawaii, Mexico, North America, Pacific, Pakistan, Tasmania, USA (country/location of origin)
How it is used for food
CAUTION The seeds are poisonous. The flowers are boiled and eaten. Young leaves are occasionally cooked and eaten.
Edible parts
Leaves, flowers
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Coral Bean, Cardinal spear, Cherokee bean, Southeastern coralbean, Red cardinal