Common Name: Western Coral Bean

General Information

Erythrina flabelliformis is a spiny, deciduous shrub or a small tree with an open crown; it usually grows from 1.5 - 5 metres tall, but can reach 7 metres. The short bole can be 25cm in diameter[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for localuse as a medicine and source of seeds that are used as beads. The seeds are sold in local markets in Mexico for use in making necklaces[].

Known Hazards

All Erythrina species contain greater or lesser amounts of toxic alkaloids - these can be found in all parts of the plant but are usually most concentrated in the seeds. Concentrations vary from species to species, in some it is low enough that the plant is safely used as a food. In many, the alkaloids are utilized for their medicinal effects. We have no specific information on the concentration of the alkaloids in this species, but care should be exercised in any use of the plant that involves ingestion. These alkaloids have a curare-like action (obtained from Strychnos species) and can cause paralysis and even death by respiratory failure[, ].

Botanical References

Range

Southwestern N. America - Baja California to Arizona and New Mexico, south through western Mexico to Michoacan

Habitat

Warm, dry rocky slopes, washes, and canyons of foothills and mountains in upper desert, desert grassland, and oak woodland zones; at elevations from 900 - 1,500 metres.

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	3.00 m
Pollinators	Birds, Insects
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Erythrina flabelliformis is not very cold-tolerant, being cut back by any more than light frosts. If damaged in areas with generally mild winters, it will usually resprout from the base in the spring and can then flower in late summer[].
Erythrina species are tolerant of a range of soils, often tolerating poor fertility, but generally grow best in a sunny position in a moderately fertile, well-drained soil[].
All species in this genus are believed to be self-compatible. Their flowers are adapted to pollination by birds, though various insects can also cause fertilization. The various species of Erythrina can all, as far as is known, be intercrossed to produce fertile hybrids. Those species most closely related to each other cross fairly readily, but even species that are quite distant can hybridize[, ].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The seed is crushed and made into a tea for treating gastrointestinal problems, headaches, toothaches, eye problems[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant is commonly used in Mexico to make hedges and living fences[].

Other Uses

The shiny red, tan or orange seeds are used as beads in necklaces[, ]. They are also used in children's games[].

The wood is brittle. It is used locally for carving figures, especially of saints[].
We have no further information for this species, but the wood of Erythrina species is generally greyish-white in colour, light in weight but strong, with a spongy texture and not very durable. The wood from the various species is used for purposes such as sieve frames, surfboards, dugout canoes, outrigger canoe floats, boxes and small art carvings[].

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, mid summer in a frame[]. Overwinter in a greenhouse and plant out in late spring or early summer.
Heeled cuttings of young growth in the spring in a frame[]. Overwinter in a greenhouse and plant out in late spring or early summer.