Common Name:

General Information

Erythrina speciosa is a spiny, deciduous shrub or small tree with an open crown; it can grow 3 - 5 metres tall. The bole can be 15 - 25cm in diameter with a rough, corky bark[].
The plant is often grown as a hedge in Brazil, and is also very suitable for use as a pioneer to restore native woodland or establish a woodland garden. Very ornamental when in bloom, it can be used for general landscaping and is particularly suitable as a street tree for narrow streets[].

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

S. America - eastern and southern Brazil.

Habitat

Atlantic rainforest, mainly in open areas and secondary growth on the coastal plains; favouring very moist to swampy soils[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	4.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Birds, Insects
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Grows best in a sunny position[]. Prefers a moist to wet soil[].
A fast-growing plant, able to reach a height of 3 metres within 2 years from seed[].
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

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

Easily reproduced by cuttings and amenable to trimming, the plant is often grown as a hedge[].
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[, ].
A fast-growing plant that succeeds in wetter soils and also fixes atmospheric nitrogen, this species can be used as a pioneer plant when restoring native woodland and, because of its small size, is very suitable for establishing woodland gardens[, ].

Other Uses

The wood is light in weight, smooth, porous, of low durability. Of low quality and small dimensions, it is seldom used but can be made into light boxes[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a partially shaded position in individual containers. A high germination rate can usually be expected from fresh seed, with the seed sprouting within 10 - 20 days[]. The seedlings develop quickly and they should be ready to plant out less than 4 months later[].
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 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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