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Erythrina bidwillii (Bidwell's
Coral Bean)
is a deciduous to
semi-evergreen shrub to
small tree when
protected from frost can
obtain the height of 20
feet. It flowers during
the summer months a very
attractive red pea
shaped flower that
stands out among the
traditional desert
landscape. The tree needs
cleaning of spent
flowers for the
manicured clean
landscape. Wear gloves
when pruning to protect
hand from barb on branch
stem.
The
bright red tubular
flower of Erythrina
bidwillii is typically
pollinated by insects
and hummingbirds. Pollen
adheres to the
hummingbirds head and
bill transferring pollen
between flowers. Cross
pollination occurs when
pollen is transferred
from one trees flower to
another trees flower.
When pollinating the
hummingbird is reward
with the trees sucrose
rich nectar fulfilling
their energy requirement
and high metabolic rate.
The
wood is strong and light
weight with the buoyancy
of balsa wood. The wood
has been used for canoe
out-rigging, fish net
floats and surfboards.
In Africa the tree is
considered a royal tree
and planted on the
graves of Zulu chiefs.
When the tree
begins to flower farmers
new it was time to plant
crops. Medicinal use
suggests that species
have antibacterial,
anti-inflammatory and
analgesic effects. The
seed is said to be a
lucky charm.
The
genus name Erythrina
comes from the Greek
erythros meaning
red, both the flower and
seed is bright red.
There are over 100
species of Erythrina
that grow in warm frost
free regions of the
world. The distributions
are: Mexico (27),
Central America (25),
South America (21), West
Indies (9), Tropical
Africa (26), South
Africa (5), Continental
Asia (6), Melanesia and
South Pacific (6), and
Australia (2). One
species (E. fusca)
grows on all the
continents except
Africa, and three
species are native to
the United States and
the Hawaiian Islands for
a total of 116 species.
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