Common Name:

General Information

Erythrina velutina is a spiny, deciduous shrub or tree with a rounded crown; it can grow 8 - 12 metres tall. The bole, which can be multi-stemmed, can be 40 - 70cm in diameter[].
The tree is sometimes harvested for local use as a medicine and source of wood. It is often grown as a hedge, or to provide shade in cocoa plantations. A very ornamental plant, especially when in bloom, it is grown in parks, gardens and along the sides of 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 - Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela; Caribbean - Trinidad and Tobago.

Habitat

Found mainly in dryland forest, usually in more open and secondary growth areas; favouring river margins and grassy lowland areas that are subject to flooding[].

Properties

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

Cultivation Details

Grows best in a sunny position[].
A fast-growing tree, able to reach a height of 3.5 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

The bark is calmative, emollient, pectoral and sudorific[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant reproduces easily from cuttings and is amenable to trimming, so it has become popular for use 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[, ].
Grown as a shade-providing tree in cocoa plantations[].

Other Uses

An aqueous extract of the seeds produced 75% mortality in third stage mosquito larvae of Aedes aegypti[].

The wood is light in weight, smooth, with a low resistance to wood-eating organisms. It can be used in the manufacture of low value items such as shoe soles, rafts, toys and 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 - 25 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[].
Cuttings, even of large branches, root easily[].

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