This tree prefers full sun and deep watering and is hardy to 20 degrees F - our specimen tree on the property was undamaged in the short low temperatures in 1990. We consider this tree to be mostly evergreen, though infrequently it can be seen bare when in flower and often there will be leafless sections that allow the flowers to be better seen.

Erythrina falcata comes from sub-Andean Peru and Bolivia to nearly 6,000 feet in elevation and also down into the lowlands of central and southern Brazil, Paraguay and northern Argentina. The name for the genus is from the Greek word 'erythros' (ερυθρσς) meaning "red". The specific epithet is the Latin word for a sickled-shaped sword.

It is the largest of the coral trees grown in California and has been in cultivation in coastal California since the 1930s. In Peter Riedel's (1873-1954) Plants for Extra-Tropical Regions: A catalog of the plants that are, have been, or might be grown where the orange and the avocado thrive, including brief mention of others every plantsman should know Riedel lists the introduction of this species by the Bureau of Plant Industry, a division of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, with the number BPI 104114-1934, indicating it was first introduced in 1934, with a note that there was a specimen planted in Hillside Park (now called Orpet Park) in Santa Barbara "circa 1930". This species in not found in this park today but many other fine specimens can be found in the Santa Barbara area. We have a very large specimen tree of this species in front of our nursery along Hollister Ave that was planted in 1984 and there are beautiful specimens in Alice Keck Park Memorial Garden in downtown Santa Barbara as well as several large trees on the UCSB campus. We have offered this plant on and off since first listing it in our 1982 catalog, mostly because this species is generally too large for many landscapes but also because it has been more difficult to vegetatively propagate than other Coral Trees, and seed grown plants do not bloom for many years. More recently we have had more success rooting cuttings of this magnificent species and are able to offer cutting grown plants in limited quantities. 

The information about Erythrina falcata displayed on this web page is based on our research conducted in the nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also include observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing this plant.