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''Erythrina caffra'', the coast coral tree or African coral tree, is a tree native to southeastern Africa, which is often cultivated and has introduced populations in California and India. All the 17 species of coral tree in the genus ''Erythrina'' are collectively considered the official tree of Los Angeles, California in the United States.
''Erythrina caffra'' is a medium to large deciduous tree. It grows in coastal bushes and riverine forests along the south eastern coast of South Africa and up into Zululand.
The compound leaves are made up of three leaflets. Each leaflet is broadly ovate to elliptical. The leaflets do not have prickles and are hairless.
The flowers are made up of a main petal and four small petals. The main petal curves back to expose the stamens. The flower colour is warm red to scarlet. This is one of the main differences between ''Erythrina caffra'' and ''
The bark is reasonably smooth with thorns every now and then. The younger the branch the sharper the thorns.
Image:Erythrina caffra, KZN NBT, b.jpg, Close-up view, showing leaf arrangement, shape and size
Image:Erythrina caffra 01 ies.jpg, View of trunk showing prickles
Image:Erythrina Caffra flower.JPG, Inflorescence
Image:1TIE.png, Trypsin inhibitor isolated from the seeds of Erythrina caffra
Description
''Erythrina caffra'' is a medium to large deciduous tree. It grows in coastal bushes and riverine forests along the south eastern coast of South Africa and up into Zululand.
Leaves
The compound leaves are made up of three leaflets. Each leaflet is broadly ovate to elliptical. The leaflets do not have prickles and are hairless.
Flowers
The flowers are made up of a main petal and four small petals. The main petal curves back to expose the stamens. The flower colour is warm red to scarlet. This is one of the main differences between ''Erythrina caffra'' and ''Erythrina lysistemon
''Erythrina lysistemon'' is a species of deciduous tree in the pea family, Fabaceae, that is native to South Africa. Common names include common coral-tree, lucky bean tree, umsintsi (Xhosa), muvhale (Venda), mophete (Tswana), koraalboom of kann ...
''. The flowers form stalked axillary racemes up to 100mm long.
Trunk
The bark is reasonably smooth with thorns every now and then. The younger the branch the sharper the thorns.
Gallery
References
External links
* caffra {{Phaseoleae-stub