Cry Baby Tree (Erythrina crista-galli)

Cry Baby Tree – Coral Tree with Spectacular Red Flowers

Erythrina crista-galli, known as Cry Baby Tree, Cockspur Coral Tree, or Fireman's Cap, is a deciduous tree native to South America. It produces stunning, large, scarlet-red, pea-like flowers in dense racemes in spring and summer, resembling a cock's comb. The trifoliate leaves are armed with prickles. It has a broad, spreading habit. In cooler climates, it may die back to the ground but resprouts. It prefers full sun, moist, well-drained soil, and is drought-tolerant once established.

Taxonomic Details