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Coral Trees (Erythrina): A Guide to Spectacular Flowering Species

Coral trees comprise over 100 species of stunning flowering trees and shrubs from tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. This introduction highlights the most commonly cultivated species, particularly those thriving in Mediterranean climates like Southern California.

Erythrina is truly global, with species on every tropical continent and many islands—even the Galápagos and Caribbean. Despite the name, few have coral-colored flowers; red dominates, though pink, orange, white, green, yellow, and coral shades occur. Forms range from massive trees to small, sparse shrubs. Most are deciduous; many are armed with spines. Cold tolerance is limited: only E. crista-galli and the U.S. native E. herbacea withstand significant frost, though a dozen others handle light frosts in coastal California. The hard, colorful seeds in typical legume pods are reportedly toxic—site away from pets.

The flowers are the main attraction: brilliant, uniquely shaped, and irresistible to hummingbirds. Some display remarkable radial symmetry; others bear sparse spikes or dense, horn-of-plenty clusters; a few flaunt near-fluorescent rainbow hues.

Most Erythrina species grow readily from seed (except hybrids), hardwood cuttings, and air layers. E. crista-galli also roots from softwood cuttings.

Erythrina crista-galli and unknown seed

Commonly Cultivated Species

Erythrina acanthocarpa (Tambookie Thorn): A South African shrub to 6 ft with spectacular bi-colored banded flowers in late spring/early summer. Spindly and deciduous most of the year, but its large succulent caudex makes a striking potted specimen. Frost hardy to high 20s °F.

Spring growth, summer form, hooked leaf undersides

Typical flower, late winter/early spring bloom, caudiciform seedling root

Erythrina × bidwillii (Fireman's Cap, Shrub Coral Tree): Hybrid of E. crista-galli × E. herbacea; cold tolerant to ~20°F. Scarlet flowers on spikes from late spring through fall. Sterile—propagate by cuttings only. To 15 ft.

Tree form (photo Elphaba) and flowers

Erythrina caffra / E. fusca (Kaffirboom Coral Tree): Massive landscape tree to 60 ft in Southern California. Winter-to-spring bloom with spectacular orange (rarely peach) radial clusters on bare, twisted limbs. Frost hardy to high 20s °F. Easy from brilliant red seeds.

Orange (left) and peach (right) flower forms

Common orange flowers; rare peach form

Erythrina chiapasana (Pipal): Small Mexican deciduous tree with scarlet conical clusters of long tubular petals in mid-winter to spring. Drought-tolerant, good with succulents. Barely frost-tolerant.

In cactus garden; spring flowers with leaves; flower close-up

Erythrina coralloides (Naked Coral Tree): Low, spreading Mexican/Arizona native with massive trunk and hooked branches. Squat conical clusters of tubular scarlet flowers (some forms bicolor) in late winter/spring. Summer foliage; winter naked. Hardy to mid-20s °F, possibly 20°F.

Summer form; winter naked; spring flowers with new leaves

Mid-winter flower-only display (very thorny); flower details

Erythrina crista-galli (Cockspur, Brazilian Coral Tree): South American native, cold hardy to ~20°F. Beak-shaped red-pink to salmon flowers in large, non-geometric clusters along branch ends. Multicolored seeds germinate easily. Drought-tolerant, densely branched, somewhat ungainly when leafless.

Several specimens in Southern California

Flowers (right: rare white form, photo popper1)

Erythrina flabelliformis (Southwestern Coral Bean): U.S./Mexican native; shrubby in desert, to 30 ft in moister Mexico. Radially symmetrical 3–4 inch tubular scarlet petals in conical arrangement.

Typical U.S. shrub form (left); flower (right)

Erythrina herbacea (Cherokee Bean, Coral Bean): Eastern U.S. native shrub to 15 ft (dies back in cold zones). Most cold-tolerant Erythrina (zone 7b–8a). Loose radial clusters of brilliant red/deep pink flattened tubes in late spring. Unique bulge at leaf base. Top hummingbird/butterfly attractor. Prefers regular water.

Flowers (center: deep pink, Huntington Gardens); left photo arroyophyte; right Floridian

Seeds and pods (photo Szondi)

Erythrina humeana (Dwarf/Natal Coral Tree): Small African shrub/tree blooming late summer to fall with dense, upright orange-red conical clusters resembling flying insects. Frost tolerant to mid-20s °F.

Late spring form; fall flower close-up; young plant mid-fall

Erythrina latissima (Broad-Leaf Coral Tree): South African short tree (8–15 ft) with corky bark, woolly new growth, and large, flat, fuzzy leaves. Tight clusters of deep red to red-orange flowers in late winter/spring.

Summer form; fuzzy spring new growth

Corky bark; large flat leaf

Spring flowers

Erythrina lysistemon (Common Coral Tree): South African, similar to E. caffra but with shuttlecock-like inflorescences of curved conical petals in deep orange to red-orange. Minimal frost tolerance (high 20s °F).

Summer; winter; spring flowers

Erythrina sandwicensis (Wiliwili, Hawaiian Coral Tree): Tropical Hawaiian native, deciduous in summer (unusual). Summer flowers in orange, white, pale green, salmon. To 35+ ft. Rare in Southern California.

Flowers (photos kennedyh)

Erythrina × sykesii (Australian Coral Tree): Naturalized hybrid, likely E. lysistemon cross. Vigorous tree with scarlet tubular flowers in tight upward radial clusters. Cold hardy to mid-20s °F; salt-wind tolerant. Propagate by cuttings only.

Summer; early spring; flowers

Erythrina variegata (Indian Coral Tree, Tiger's Claw, Sunshine Tree): Pan-tropical large tree grown for horn-of-plenty red-orange flowers and often variegated leaves. Winter/spring bloom. Intensely thorny. Upright cultivars to 80+ ft used as windbreaks. Marginal in Southern California.