This species is closely related to and probably often confused with Erythrina vogelii Hook.f., a coastal tree found from Cote D'Ivoire to Cameroon. The two species may even hybridize[].

Common Name:

General Information

Erythrina senegalensis is a spiny shrub or tree with an open crown; it usually grows around 3 - 4.5 metres tall, but sometimes reaches up to 12 - 15 metres. The bole has a thick, corky, dark grey bark armed with stout prickles slightly recurved from a woody base[, , ].
The tree is harvested from the wild for its various local medicinal uses. It is often grown as a hedge in Africa and sometimes also for its medicinal virtues[].. It usually flowers when leafless, producing large, red, conspicuous, ornamental flowers[, ].
Erythrina senegalensis has a wide distribution range. It is harvested for use in traditional medicine, but at present that does not seem to affect the population dynamics of the species. There are no other major known threats for the species and the population is currently believed to be stable. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

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

West tropical Africa - Senegal to northern Cameroon.

Habitat

Burned savannah; marigot edges; plateaux with fine gravel; degraded regrowths; sandy colluvium; coastal savannah; at elevations from near sea-level to 1,200 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	4.00 m
Pollinators	Birds, Insects
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

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[].
The plant can be coppiced[]. It also produces suckers[].
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[, ].
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 bark is febrifuge. A decoction is taken in the treatment of yellow fever, malaria, bronchitis, rachitis, liver and gallbladder problems, amenorrhoea, sterility in women[, ].

The bark and the roots are commonly used in the treatment of gastro-intestinal disorders, as an anti-abortive, for treating leprosy, haemorrhoids and as a general tonic[].

The juice of the leaves is used in treating wounds[].

The wood is chewed as an aphrodisiac[].

The plant (part not specified) is used in the treatment of fractures[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant is commonly grown as a hedge in Africa[].
Most Erythrina species are very easy to grow from cuttings, with even quite large branches striking well. In addition, they generally fix atmospheric nitrogen, have nutrient-rich leaves that make an excellent soil-enriching mulch, often have open crowns that do not overly restrict light, and are also often quite thorny and can provide impenetrable barriers to protect from unwelcome intrusions. Many species are therefore used as living fences to provide boundaries and livestock-proof hedges[, ].

Other Uses

The seeds are used as beads[].

A fibre obtained from the bark is used to make scented bracelets etc[].

The wood is very light in weight, soft and not durable[]. It is of little value but is sometimes used for fencing[].

Propagation

Like many species within the family Fabaceae, once they have been dried for storage the seeds of this species may benefit from scarification before sowing in order to speed up and improve germination. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water. By this time they should have imbibed moisture and swollen - if they have not, then carefully make a nick in the seedcoat (being careful not to damage the embryo) and soak for a further 12 hours before sowing[].
Species in this genus are generally easy to grow from cuttings. Many will strike well even from large cuttings placed in the open ground so long as they are kept moist but not too wet[].

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