Erythrina latissima

Broad-leaved coral tree
Habit and the very large, ovate leaflets
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Fabales
Family:	Fabaceae
Subfamily:	Faboideae
Genus:	Erythrina
Species:	E. latissima
Binomial name
Erythrina latissima E.Mey.
Synonyms
Chirocalyx mollissimus Meisn. Erythrina gibbsaeBaker Erythrina sandersoniHarv.

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 .

Description

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

• 
  Flowers and velvety red calyxes
• 
  Black and red seeds, fallen from seed pods
• 
  Venation of single leaflet

References

1. Tarr, B.B. "Erythrina latissima". PlantZAfrica.com. South African National Biodiversity Institute. Retrieved 17 October 2012.
2. Hyde, Mark; et al. "Erythrina latissima". Flora of Zimbabwe. zimbabweflora.co.zw. Retrieved 17 October 2012.
3. 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