Indian coral tree
Erythrina stricta
Family: Fabaceae
What it is like
A large tree. It grows 35 m tall. It loses its leaves during the year. The branches grow steeply upwards and the crown is open. Young tree have sharp thorns. The leaves have 3 leaflets. The central leaflet is largest. They are 8-12 cm long and broadly oval. The young leaves have silky hairs. The flowers are about 4 cm across and bright red. They are in dense spike like clusters. The flowers are on one side. The fruit is a pod 5-10 cm long with 1-3 seeds.
There are 108 Erythrina species.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It grows in both dry and moist forests. It grows in forests near rivers at about 1,400 m above sea level. In Yunnan.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Bhutan, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Laos, Myanmar, Nepal, SE Asia, Sikkim, Thailand, Tibet, Vietnam
How it is used for food
The young leaves are used as a vegetable.
Edible parts
Leaves, flowers
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Chemroy, Choe co, Dok thong, Faledo, Hemmuruku, Kathit, Keechaga, Madar, Mai-ton, Mullumodugu, Mullumurukku, Mura, Murikkinchapu, Murikkusoppu, Phak thong, Phaledo, Tagek schein, Taung-kathit, Vong goa-hep