This species is treated as Erythrina stricta suberosa (Roxb.) Niyomdham by some authors[].

Common Name:

General Information

Erythrina suberosa is a thorny, medium-sized, deciduous tree with an irregular crown; it can grow from 13 - 17 metres tall. It has a distinctly orange, corky bark[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a drink, medicine and source of materials. It is sometimes grown as a hedge and is often grown as an ornamental and a street tree.

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

E. Asia - Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam

Habitat

Dry mixed forests[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	12.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
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[].
A fast-growing tree[].
Plants flower and produce fruit all year round[].
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

An aqueous extract of the flowers of this tree and that of Hibiscus rosa sinensis is used as a refreshing, soothing and relaxing drink during the hot summer season[]

Medicinal

An aqueous extract of the flowers of this tree combined with those of Hibiscus rosa sinensis has a calming action. The flowers contain the alkaloids erysodine and erysothrine, which have been shown to have anxiolytic activity[]

Agroforestry Uses:

Cultivated as an ornamental tree and as a living fence, sometimes as a supporter for black and betel pepper[].
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

A water extract of the flowers, when combined with different mordants, gives a range of soft colours that have excellent colour fastness to the light, when washing etc[].

The yellow-grey wood is soft, light and fairly durable. It is used for various purposes, such as making cheap packing cases, sieve frames, flooring and water troughs[].
The powdered bark is used in the manufacture of composition cork and insulation board[].

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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