The broad-leaved coral tree (Erythrina latissima) is a deciduous tree from southern Africa growing 5 to 8 m tall.[1] It is a member of the Fabaceae and occurs naturally in the Afrotemperate mist-belt of South Africa and Eswatini to the uplands of Mozambique, Zimbabwe and adjacent Botswana.[2] It is often cultivated as a tree for gardens and parks.[3] In Zimbabwe its range overlaps with the similar Erythrina abyssinica.
| Broad-leaved coral tree | |
|---|---|
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| Habit and the very large, ovate leaflets | |
Scientific classification 
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| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Fabales |
| Family: | Fabaceae |
| Subfamily: | Faboideae |
| Genus: | Erythrina |
| Species: | E. latissima
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| Binomial name | |
| Erythrina latissima | |
| Synonyms | |
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It has pubescent branchlets and fissured, corky bark. The foliage is soft and initially woolly in texture, with some prickles and prominently raised venation below.[3][2] Their scarlet flowers with red, densely velvety calyxes may appear from winter to early summer,[2] usually before new foliage is produced. The fruit is a cylindrical articulated pod, bearing orange to red seeds with a black spot.[3]
Gallery
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Flowers and velvety red calyxes -
Black and red seeds, fallen from seed pods -
Venation of single leaflet
References
edit- ^ Tarr, B.B. "Erythrina latissima". PlantZAfrica.com. South African National Biodiversity Institute. Retrieved 17 October 2012.
- ^ a b c Hyde, Mark; et al. "Erythrina latissima". Flora of Zimbabwe. zimbabweflora.co.zw. Retrieved 17 October 2012.
- ^ a b c Van Wyk, Braam; et al. (1997). Field Guide to the Trees of Southern Africa. Cape Town: Struik. p. 391. ISBN 1-86825-922-6.
Media related to Erythrina latissima at Wikimedia Commons