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| Category: Shrub |
| Family: Fabaceae = Pea Family |
| Origin: Southwest (U.S.) (North America) |
| Flower Color: Red |
| Bloomtime: Summer |
| Synonyms: [Erythrina purpusii] |
| Height: 8-12 feet |
| Width: 6-8 feet |
| Exposure: Full Sun |
| Drought Tolerant: Yes |
| Irrigation (H2O Info): Low Water Needs |
| Winter Hardiness: 15-20° F |
| May be Poisonous (More Info): Yes |
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Erythrina flabelliformis (Coral Bean) - A semi-succulent low growing deciduous shrubby tree from the Sonoran desert of southern Arizona New Mexico south into Mexico. It has swollen roots and stems that bear scattered small spines and attractive trifoliate leaves with rounded leaflets. In late winter to spring appear the open clusters of tubular red flowers at the same time the leaves begin to emerge and then in late summer appear 8 to 12 inch long beans which split lengthwise to expose the brilliant red seeds, giving rise to the common name “Coral Bean”. In much of its natural range this plant usually reach no taller than 4 or 5 feet in height though in areas to the south this plant may get as tall as 25 feet as it does in southern Baja California. In southern Arizona this plant will naturally freeze back but resprout from the roots, though will not flower that year on the new growth. Plant in full sun in a well drained soil or in a container that can be protected from temperatures below 20°F or overly wet winter conditions. This plant is often seen in succulent collections and can be grown in relatively small containers for an indefinite period of time. In Mexico the seeds are sold in the marketplace as a bead called Colorines, which while quite pretty, are quite toxic if eaten and in even a small amount can produce hallucinations, vomiting, convulsions, and even death; it is advisable that one keep the beads around the neck and not in the mouth. The name Erythrina is derived from the Greek word "erythros" meaning red for the typical red flowers of the genus and the specific epithet "flabelliformis" is from the Latin words “flabellum” meaning fan and "formis" meaning shaped in reference to the shape of the leaflets. Our plants from seed collected in the Huachuca Mountains of southern Arizona.
The description above is based on our research and observations of this plant growing in our nursery, in our own garden and in other gardens in the Santa Barbara area. We would appreciate hearing from anyone who has additional information about this plant, even if they disagree with what we have written.
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