Common Name:

General Information

Erythrina vespertilio is a straggly, deciduous tree with stout prickles on the bole and branches, usually growing from 3 - 15 metres tall, with some specimens in the rainforest reaching 30 metres[, , ]. The bole can be 30 - 80cm in diameter, with a deeply furrowed, corky bark[, ].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine and source of wood. An attractive plant, it is sometimes grown as an ornamental[].

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

Australia - New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia.

Habitat

Sand, clay, loam over basalt or limestone. Gorges, along rivers & creeks in Western Australia[]. Margins of dry rainforest in New South Wales. Widespread in subtropical and tropical open forests[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	10.00 m
Pollinators	Birds, Insects
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the arid to moist tropical and subtropical lowlands, where it is found at elevations up to 800 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 20 - 35°c, but can tolerate 10 - 45°c[]. Mature plants can be killed by temperatures of -5°c or lower, but new growth will be severely damaged at -1°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 500 - 1,300mm, but tolerates 150 - 1,700mm[].
Requires a sunny position[]. Plants can grow in a wide range of soils, so long as they are well-drained, growing best in moderately fertile conditions[, ]. Tolerant of moderate levels of salt in the soil[]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 - 7, tolerating 4.5 - 8[].
Plants commence flowering when 3 - 4 years old[].
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 leaves are said to be sedative[].

Agroforestry Uses:

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 range in colour from red to light and dark browns and orange. They are used to make necklaces and body ornaments[].

The pale wood is light in weight, soft, not strong, not durable[]. It is used for making shields[].

Propagation

Fresh seeds, and those harvested within 3 - 6 months of maturity, can be sown without any special treatment. Germination rates are generally high and are often 100%. Seeds over 6 months old may take between 12 - 18 months to germinate due to their hard seed coat which becomes tougher with age. Soaking them in hot water, or abrading their seedcoat, can reduce this time considerably. They may be added to water which has just fallen below boiling point and left in the water as it cools for a minimum of one hour, but up to 12 hours for seed 3 years or more old, and then sown in the usual way. Alternatively, file the seeds with a slender triangular file. A groove can be made through the sides of the seed coat with care so as to avoid damaging the cotyledons or embryo, which usually results in the death of the seeds from fungal attack or in malformed and weakened seedlings[].
Seeds of most species produce strong seedlings from healthy seeds in almost any well-drained soil, with a minimum of trouble from damping-off disease[].
Cuttings of half-ripe wood[].
Heeled cuttings of young growth[].
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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