Common Name: Balu

General Information

Erythrina edulis is a leafy tree growing up to 14 metres tall with a crown diameter up to 7 metres[]. The stem and branches are covered with stout prickles[].
The plant is cultivated, mainly in house gardens, for the large edible seeds which, contrarily to those of the other species of Erythrina, scarcely contain any alkaloids[]. An important food crop in the tropical highlands of S. America[], the cultivation of this species was already widely distributed, from Colombia to Bolivia, prior to the Spanish colonization[].

Known Hazards

Research indicates that the uncooked seeds can be toxic if consumed over a long period[].
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

Western S. America - Bolivia and Peru, north to Panama.

Habitat

A pioneer species, it is usually found in open areas with disturbed soil[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	10.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Bees, Wasps, Birds
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of higher elevation in the dry to moist tropics. It is found at a wide range of elevations from 900 - 3,200 metres, and grows in areas where the annual temperatures range between 5 - 25°c and the rainfall is 450 - 1,800mm[]. Plants do not tolerate frequent frosts[].
Grows well in loose-textured sandy loams and in heavy clay soils, but does not like strongly acidic soils where the pH is below 4.5[]. A pioneer species, it grows best in full sunlight, but trees can tolerate some shade in the early stages of growth[]. It does not tolerate long periods of drought, especially during the early stages of establishment[].
The species is cultivated at quite high altitudes, between 1,800 - 2,200 metres, in the Central Andes, and in Colombia between 1,000 - 2,700 metres[].
The tree has a normal life span of 30 - 40 years[].
Seedlings grow rapidly (2.5 metres tall in the 1st year) and begin producing fruit in approximately 24 - 27 months[].
Cuttings begin producing fruit about 18 months after planting[].
In Colombia, live fence posts are established from stakes at 2 metre intervals and allowed to grow for 30 months before pruning or attaching barbed wire[]. Left unpruned, the posts can provide up to 85 tons of fruit[].
Seeds mature about three months after the plant flowers[].
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

Seed - cooked[]. The large, succulent seeds have a pleasant, slightly sweet flavour[]. The seeds are used mostly cooked and salted[]. Seeds must be boiled for at least 45 minutes or fried thoroughly before being eaten[]. As a paste, they provide a nutritious base for tortillas, desserts, pies, soups and food for infants[]. They are also boiled, sun dried, ground and added to flour[].
The fruits hang from the tree in bunches of 9 and 18 cylindrical pods. Pod size varies widely, but averages 32 cm long and 3 cm in diameter containing six, brownish-red, yellow or black seeds[, ].
The seed is a component of many diets and contains 23% protein, 1% fat, 8% crude fibre and 84% moisture[]. Seeds have a good balance of amino acids and a digestibility of about 50% after cooking[].

Medicinal

A soap made from the bark, branches and leaves is used to wash dogs with skin disease[].

The seed is mixed in a liquid concoction to treat inflammation of the bladder[].

The flowers are used to treat eye irritations[].

Agroforestry Uses:

A pioneer species in its native range, it is fast-growing, fixes atmospheric nitrogen and provides food and medicines for local use. It should make an excellent species for use in restoring woodlands and for establishing woodland gardens[].
The tree roots well and easily from cuttings - even large branches usually strike easily. It is used for planting living fences[, ].
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[, ].
Widely used as a shade tree for coffee and as a support for climbing plants such as black pepper (Piper species), betel (Piper species) and grapes (Vitis species), it has been recommended for agroforestry systems[, ].
The fallen leaves provide leaf litter[].

Other Uses

The wood is used for construction[].
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[].
The tree is used as firewood[].

Propagation

Plants are easily propagated from seed or cuttings, but seedlings tend to root deeper and live longer than cuttings[].
Seed - larger seeds tend to produce more vigorous seedlings. Seeds should be planted in 1-kg polyethylene bags with the convex side facing upwards and slightly exposed. Germination begins in 5 - 10 days[]. Seedlings should be shaded in the nursery and shade partially reduced in the last two weeks before planting out[]. At 60 days, seedlings may be planted out in holes 30 cm deep[]. The plant can also be direct seeded[].
Seed should be removed from pods immediately and stored in paper bags in a cool, dark place[]. Seeds lose viability quickly and should be planted within 8 days of harvesting[]. Viability can be extended up to 20 days by dipping seeds in molten paraffin so that a thin layer of paraffin coats the entire seed[].
Cuttings of 4-6 cm diameter, and usually 1 m in length, should be planted to a depth of 30-50 cm within 3 days of cutting[]. Cuts should be made with well-sharpened tools to avoid damage that can lead to rotting; the top cut should be at a 45° angle[]. Sealing the cuts with paraffin, plastic, mud or other material can increase survival rates[].

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