FPS197

Erythrina herbacea: Coralbean1 Edward F. Gilman, Dennis G. Watson, Ryan W. Klein, Andrew K. Koeser, Deborah R. Hilbert, and Drew C. McLean2

Introduction Planting month for zone 8: year round Planting month for zone 9: year round Erythrina herbacea is a shrub that may attain a height of Planting month for zone 10 and 11: year round 15 feet but is often smaller. It rarely exceeds a height of 8 Origin: native to the coastal states of the southeastern feet in the northern and central sections of Florida. The United States, in addition to Texas and Mexico coralbean has compound leaves that are semi-deciduous, UF/IFAS Invasive Assessment Status: native and these 4- to 9-inch-long leaves are composed of three Uses: border; mass planting; attracts hummingbirds; shallow-lobed leaflets. The leaves are dull green in color container or above-ground planter and have prickles on their midribs; the prickles are found on the undersides of the leaflets. The stems of this plant are also armed with short, recurved spines. In south Florida, slender, multiple trunks that are covered with pale, thick bark are formed. Bright red, tubular flowers are borne in 2-foot-long terminal racemes that can be enjoyed from April to June. These flowers are attractive to hummingbirds. The showy fruits of the coralbean are drooping pods that are constricted between the seeds. These pods split in the fall to reveal the beautiful, bright red seeds. General Information Scientific name:Erythrina herbacea Pronunciation: air-rith-RYE-nuh hur-BAY-see-uh Common name(s): coralbean, cardinal spear, Cherokee bean Family: Fabaceae Plant type: perennial; herbaceous USDA hardiness zones: 8 through 11 (Figure 2) Figure 1. Full Form—Erythrina herbacea: Coralbean

1. This document is FPS197, one of a series of the Environmental Horticulture Department, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date September 1999. Revised December 2018. Visit the EDIS website at https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu for the currently supported version of this publication.

2. Edward F. Gilman, professor emeritus, Environmental Horticulture Department; Dennis G. Watson, former associate professor, Agricultural Engineering Department; Ryan W. Klein, graduate assistant, Environmental Horticulture Department; Andrew K. Koeser, assistant professor, Environmental Horticulture Department, UF/IFAS Gulf Coast Research and Education Center; Deborah R. Hilbert, graduate assistant, Environmental Horticulture Department, GCREC; and Drew C. McLean, biological scientist, Environmental Horticulture Department, GCREC; UF/IFAS Extension, Gainesville, FL 32611.

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U.S. Department of Agriculture, UF/IFAS Extension Service, University of Florida, IFAS, Florida A & M University Cooperative Extension Program, and Boards of County Commissioners Cooperating. Nick T. Place, dean for UF/IFAS Extension. Flower Flower color: bright red Flower characteristic: tubular; emerges in clusters on 2’ long, terminal racemes Flowering: late winter to spring

Figure 2. Shaded area represents potential planting range. Description Height: 5 to 15 feet Spread: 8 to 12 feet Plant habit: round Plant density: open Growth rate: moderate Texture: medium Figure 4. Flower—Erythrina herbacea: Coralbean Foliage Fruit Leaf arrangement: alternate Fruit shape: pod with obvious bulbous seed pouches Leaf type: odd-pinnately compound; trifoliate, made up of Fruit length: 2 to 4 inches 3 leaflets Fruit cover: dry or hard Leaf margin: lobed Fruit color: brown Leaf shape: deltoid (Figure 3) Fruit characteristic: inconspicuous and not showy; bright Leaf venation: pinnate red seeds Leaf type and persistence: evergreen Leaf blade length: 4 to 9 inches; leaflets are 1 to 3 inches Leaf color: dull green on top, paler green underneath Fall color: no fall color change Fall characteristic: not showy

Figure 3. Leaf—Erythrina herbacea: Coralbean Figure 5. Fruit—Erythrina herbacea: Coralbean

Erythrina herbacea: Coralbean 2 Trunk and Branches Use and Management Trunk/branches: thorns present; not particularly showy Coralbean is often used to give a woodland planting a Bark: pale, thick, rough, and armed with tiny thorn-like naturalistic, informal effect. It is also excellent as an accent spines or specimen plant. The bright red flowers add beautiful Current year stem/twig color: green highlights to any landscape. It can be planted along a fence Current year stem/twig thickness: medium where it will climb alone and cover it.

Derivatives of the plant have been used as a laxative. Native Americans ate roots to increase perspiration. The beans have been used to poison rats and to paralyze fish.

Erythrina herbacea should be grown in full sun or partial shade. It is tolerant of a wide range of soils but prefers one that is fertile and well-drained. Fertilize this plant once or twice each year, and cut back the dead tops in the winter.

Propagate coralbean from scarified seed or cuttings; cuttings root very easily.

Pests and Diseases No pests or diseases are of major concern. Reference Koeser, A.K., Friedman, M.H., Hasing, G., Finley, H., Schelb, J. 2017. Trees: South Florida and the Keys. Figure 6. Bark—Erythrina herbacea: Coralbean Gainesville: University of Florida Institute of Food and Culture Agricultural Sciences. Light requirement: full sun to partial shade Soil tolerances: acidic; slightly alkaline; sand; loam; well-drained Drought tolerance: high Soil salt tolerances: moderate Aerosol salt tolerance: high Plant spacing: 36 to 60 inches

Other Roots: usually not a problem Winter interest: no special winter interest Outstanding plant: not particularly outstanding Invasive potential: native plant that often reproduces into nearby landscapes Pest resistance: no serious pests are normally seen on the plant

Erythrina herbacea: Coralbean 3