Erythrina crista-galli
| Erythrina crista-galli | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 8 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 10' |
| Width: | 7' |
| Blooms: | Mid Summer-Early Fall |
| Native to: | |
| Nitrogen Fixer | |
| Medicinal Rating: | |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Erythrina crista-galli (common name: coral tree)
Propagation: Seed - pre-soak for 12 hours in warm water and sow spring in a greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame[1]. Overwinter in a greenhouse and plant out in late spring or early summer.
Heeled cuttings of young growth in the spring in a frame[1]. Overwinter in a greenhouse and plant out in late spring or early summer.
Cultivation: Requires a moderately fertile well-drained soil in a very sunny position[1]. Best if given the protection of an east, south or south-west facing wall[1].
Plants are not very hardy outdoors in Britain though the rootstock can tolerate temperatures down to about -10°c provided the stem bases are thickly mulched with organic matter such as leaf litter or sawdust and covered with bracken[1]. The top growth will be killed by the frost but new growth from the rootstock will flower in late summer[1].
A plant growing outdoors at the RHS Gardens in Wisley, Surrey, grows and flowers well in a warm sheltered corner[2]. Its root is mulched each winter to protect it from the cold[2].
A form called 'Compacta' is said to flower more freely than the type[3].
Plants take 3 - 4 years to flower from seed[1]. Plants are difficult to establish, taking some years to flower[4].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[1].
Range: S. America - Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay.
Medicinal: The plant is narcotic and purgative[1].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: The plant contains alkaloids that have powerful narcotic and purgative effects[1].
The seeds of all members of this genus are said to be poisonous[5].
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2. Pan Books, London, 1998.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Perennial Garden Plants. J. M. Dent & Sons, 1990.
- ↑ Davis, Brian. Climbers and Wall Shrubs. Viking, 1990.
- ↑ Diggs, George and Barney Lipscomb. Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas. Botanical Research Institute, 1999.