Coral Bean, Swamp Immortelle

Erythrina fusca

Physical Characteristics

Erythrina fusca is a deciduous Tree growing to 15 m (49ft) by 12 m (39ft) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The flowers are pollinated by Birds. It can fix Nitrogen. It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils and can grow in very acid soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

Distribution

S. America - Brazil, Bolivia and Peru, north through Central America to Guatemala and the Caribbean.

Habitats

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Flowers Leaves Edible Uses: Edible portion: Leaves, Flowers, Vegetable. Young leaves - raw in salads or cooked and used as a vegetable[ 301 , 317 , 598 ]. Flowers - cooked and eaten as a vegetable[ 317 , 598 ].

Medicinal Uses

Antirheumatic Antitussive Diaphoretic Febrifuge Hypnotic Malaria Poultice Purgative Skin An infusion of the bark is used in the treatment of liver ailments and to induce sleep[ 739 ]. The bark is used as a poultice on fresh wounds[ 303 ]. The stem bark and root bark are mixed with the stem bark of Parkia pendula to make a cataplasm that is applied to the head to treat violent and persistent headaches[ 348 ]. Bark or root decoctions are used in the treatment of beriberi[ 303 ]. The root is antirheumatic, sudorific and, in large doses, purgative[ 348 , 739 ]. A decoction is used to treat feverish maladies such as malaria and flu[ 348 ]. The flowers are antitussive[ 348 ]. A decoction is used to soothe coughs[ 348 ]. The seed contains the anaesthetic alkaloid erythroidine[ 348 ].

Known Hazards

Although no specific mention has been seen for this species, the seed, bark and stems of plants in this genus usually contain alkaloids that are toxic in all but small amounts[ K ].