Erythrina herbacea L.

A deciduous shrub which keeps growing from year to year. It grows 1.2-6 m high. The leaves have 3 leaflets. The leaves are triangle shaped and 12 cm long. The leaf stalks have prickles. The flowers are bright red. The standard of the flower can be 5 cm long. The flowers clusters are 60 cm long. The fruit are leathery pods. They are 10-20 cm long. The seeds are bright red.

It is a warm temperate plant. It needs sandy, well drained soil. It needs full sun. It suits hardiness zones 8-10.

CAUTION The seeds are poisonous. The flowers are boiled and eaten. Young leaves are occasionally cooked and eaten.

Can be grown by cuttings or seedlings. Seeds needs soaking.