Erythrina variegata L.

Tree 6–12 m. tall, with much branched crown; branches prickly; flowering when leaves not present.. Stems pale, with short straight black prickles, at first densely stellate tomentose but soon glabrous.. Leaflets ovate to broadly rhomboid, rather thin, 4–19·5 cm. long, 3–21 cm. wide, acute to acuminate (often bluntly) at the apex, truncate, rounded or slightly cordate at the base, at first sparsely stellate pubescent or tomentose beneath, later almost glabrous, sometimes variegated (not in Africa); midrib not prickly; petiole 2–20 cm. long, not prickly; rhachis 1–7 cm. long; petiolules 0·5–1·4 cm. long.. Inflorescences dense, many-flowered, covered with a deciduous stellate ferruginous tomentum; rhachis 10–20 cm. long; peduncle 7–17 cm. long; pedicels 8–11 mm. long, tomentose; bracts and bracteoles oblong, 2–3 mm. long, 0·5–1 mm. wide, soon deciduous.. Calyx fusiform in bud, narrowed above and terminating in 2 filiform lobes 2–4 mm. long and a thickened knob, later splitting deeply on the vexillar side to form a spathe, 2–4 cm. long, at first covered with a ferruginous stellate tomentum, later glabrous, dark-lined when dry.. Standard dark crimson or scarlet, short-clawed, elliptic, 5–6(–7) cm. long, 2–2·5 cm. wide, rounded; keel and wings about equal, ± a third the length of the standard.. Pods stipitate, sausage-shaped or elongate-cylindrical, 12–30(–40) cm. long, 2–3 cm. wide, (3–)4–13-seeded, moderately but not deeply constricted between the seeds, densely stellate tomentose when very young, soon glabrous; valves reticulately veined like a ground-nut pod.. Seeds pinkish or purplish-red, oblong or oblong-ellipsoid, sometimes slightly curved, longest dimension 1·3–2 cm., shorter dimension 0·8–1·2 cm., 0·8–1·1 cm. thick; hilum oblong or oblong-oblanceolate, 5–8·5 mm. long.

A tropical plant. It is native from India to the Philippines and the Pacific. It mostly grows naturally along the dunes very close to the coast but is transplanted as an ornamental. It will grow up to 900 m altitude. It has been recorded up to 2,200 m above sea level in PNG. It is tolerant to salt. It can tolerate drought. It needs full sun. It can grow in a wide range of soils and soil pH values from 4.5-8.0. It is a nitrogen fixing tree so can grow on poor soils. It can grow in arid places. It suits hardiness zones 11-12. In Yunnan.

Used as source of food and timber by aboriginals and as fodder by pastoralists. Widely cultivated as an ornamental tree, including in Australia and America. The slightly poisonous alkaloids hypophorine and erythrinine have been isolated from this species. Nevertheless the leaves and seeds may be eaten after cooking, and are said to ensure a deep sleep. The leaves and pounded seeds may be used as a poultice for sores. On Cocos (Keeling) Islands, the wood has been used for making small trays.

Trees can be grown from seed. Seed will remain viable for several years. Trees do not breed true from seed. Cuttings also grow easily. Large cuttings can be used.