Common Name: Muungu

General Information

Erythrina sacleuxii is a stiffly branched, deciduous tree with an open rounded crown; it can grow from 9 - 24 metres tall. It comes into flowering before the leaves develop[].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use of its wood. It is sometimes allowed to remain as a shade tree in plantations, and is grown as an amenity and street tree[].
There is likely to be some decline in the population of this species because of the variety of threats in coastal zone it inhabits, and it is almost certainly being cleared along with the rest of the habitat, although it is sometimes left as a relict in plantations. The plant almost qualifies for a 'Threatened' status, but is currently classified as 'Near Threatened' 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

East tropical Africa - southern Kenya, Tanzania, northern Mozambique

Habitat

Scattered-tree grassland; bushland; open woodland; semi-deciduous and evergreen coastal forest; also as a relic in coconut and mixed plantations; at elevations up to 450 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Near Threatened
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	15.00 m
Pollinators	Birds, Insects
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	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[].
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[, ].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The leaves and roots are used as antimalarial agents[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant is sometimes left to grow as a shade tree in coconut and mixed plantations when the forest is cleared for agriculture[].
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 wood is used to make traditional drums, grain mortars[, ].
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 wood is used for fuel and for making charcoal[].

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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