Common Name: Prickly Cardinal

General Information

Erythrina zeyheri is a perennial plant growing from a large, woody base that is mainly underground, with short woody stems above ground. It produces decumbent to semi-erect new shoots 30 - 60cm tall each year, these dying back to the woody stems each winter[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of materials. It is sometimes grown as an ornamental in gaerdens[].

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

Southern Africa - Zimbabwe, Swaziland, eastern S. Africa.

Habitat

Found in grassland, but more frequently in moist vleis with clay soils, sometimes in sandy soils[]. The plant usually grows in colonies[]. Found in woodland and lightly wooded grassland.

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	0.50 m
Pollinators	Birds, Insects
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Erythrina zeyheri is found from the tropical regions of Zimbabwe to the warm temperate zone of eastern S. Africa. It experiences frosts in at least part of its range and should be able to be grown in warm temperate regions, especially if given the protection of being grown against the sunny side of a wall, and the stem bases are protected with a thick mulch of organic matter such as leaf litter or sawdust and then covered with bracken[].
Requires a moderately fertile well-drained soil in a very sunny position[]. Best if given the protection of an east, south or south-west facing wall[]. Established plants are drought tolerant[].
Plants are not very hardy outdoors in Britain though they experience at least moderate frosts in their native range and would be worthwhile trying outdoors in the very mildest areas of this country[]. The The top growth will be killed by the frost but new growth from the rootstock will flower in late summer[].
The plant has an enormous underground rootstock in which it stores food[]. New shoots form every year from the underground stems and then die down in winter[].
Plants take 3 - 4 years to flower from seed[].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The plant is narcotic and purgative[].
In the colonial days, asthma sufferers smoked the underground portion of this plant[].

Other Uses

The red seeds are used to make necklaces, bracelets etc[].

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.