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Publication #ENH397

 

Erythrina variegata var. orientalis: Coral Tree1

Edward F. Gilman and Dennis G. Watson2

Introduction

This fast-growing, 50 feet tall and wide deciduous tree with green and yellow-variegated, six-inch-long leaves creates a broad canopy but has spiny branches. In spring, before the leaves appear, Coral Tree is decorated with showy red blossoms, each flower 2.5 inches long and arranged in dense, six-inch-long racemes. These blooms are followed by 12-inch-long, red/brown seedpods which contain poisonous seeds.

Figure 1. 

Mature Erythrina variegata var. orientalis: Coral Tree


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General Information

Scientific name: Erythrina variegata var. orientalis
Pronunciation: air-rith-RYE-nuh vair-ee-eh-GAY-tuh variety or-ee-en-TAY-liss
Common name(s): Coral Tree
Family: Leguminosae
USDA hardiness zones: 10A through 11 (Fig. 2)
Origin: not native to North America
Invasive potential: little invasive potential
Uses: shade; specimen
Availability: somewhat available, may have to go out of the region to find the tree

Figure 2. 

Range


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Description

Height: 50 to 60 feet
Spread: 40 to 50 feet
Crown uniformity: symmetrical
Crown shape: round, vase
Crown density: dense
Growth rate: fast
Texture: coarse

Foliage

Leaf arrangement: alternate (Fig. 3)
Leaf type: trifoliate, odd-pinnately compound
Leaf margin: entire
Leaf shape: deltoid, ovate
Leaf venation: pinnate, reticulate
Leaf type and persistence: deciduous
Leaf blade length: 2 to 4 inches
Leaf color: green
Fall color: no color change
Fall characteristic: not showy

Flower

Flower color: red
Flower characteristics: showy

Fruit

Fruit shape: unknown
Fruit length: unknown
Fruit covering: dry or hard
Fruit color: brown
Fruit characteristics: does not attract wildlife; not showy; fruit/leaves not a litter problem

Trunk and Branches

Trunk/bark/branches: branches don't droop; showy; typically multi-trunked; no thorns
Pruning requirement: needed for strong structure
Breakage: resistant
Current year twig color: gray, brown
Current year twig thickness: very thick, thick
Wood specific gravity: unknown

Culture

Light requirement: full sun
Soil tolerances: clay; sand; loam; alkaline; acidic; well-drained
Drought tolerance: high
Aerosol salt tolerance: moderate

Other

Roots: can form large surface roots
Winter interest: yes
Outstanding tree: yes
Ozone sensitivity: unknown
Verticillium wilt susceptibility: unknown
Pest resistance: sensitive to pests/diseases

Figure 3. 

Foliage


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Use and Management

The large size of Coral Tree makes it suited for planting in parks, golf courses and in other large-scale landscapes. Multiple trunks ascend from the lower portion of the main trunk giving rise to a wide-spreading canopy casting dense shade. Lower branches droop to the ground if they are allowed to remain on the tree. Give this tree plenty of room to develop since the canopy is large and the tree looks wonderful with a symmetrical crown. Since the trunk often flares or buttresses at the base, plant it at least 10 feet from a sidewalk or driveway.

Coral Tree should be grown in full sun on well-drained soil. Trees are highly drought-tolerant and moderately salt-tolerant.

Propagation is easily done by seeds, cuttings, or division.

Pests

Borers may infest weakened trees.

Diseases

No diseases are of major concern. Caterpillars can eat significant amounts of foliage.

Footnotes

1.

This document is ENH397, one of a series of the Environmental Horticulture, Florida Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida. Original publication date November 1993. Revised December 2006. Reviewed May 2011. Visit the EDIS website at http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu.

2.

Edward F. Gilman, professor, Environmental Horticulture Department; Dennis G. Watson, former associate professor, Agricultural Engineering Department, Cooperative Extension Service, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville FL 32611.

The Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (IFAS) is an Equal Opportunity Institution authorized to provide research, educational information and other services only to individuals and institutions that function with non-discrimination with respect to race, creed, color, religion, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, national origin, political opinions or affiliations. For more information on obtaining other extension publications, contact your county Cooperative Extension service.

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A. & M. University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Nick T. Place, Dean.