Family: Fabaceae
Author: L.
Bibliography: Mant. Pl. 1: 99 (1767)
Year: 1767
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Erythrina
Vegetable: False
Observations: Brazil to N. Argentina
Description
The Cockspur coraltree, scientifically known as Erythrina crista-galli, is a remarkable species within the Fabaceae family. This exotic shrub or small tree is native to regions ranging from Brazil to Northern Argentina, where it thrives in a variety of climates and soil types.
Erythrina crista-galli is celebrated for its striking, vibrant flowers that are deep red or coral in color, resembling the shape of a rooster’s comb—a characteristic that explains its common name, the Cockspur coraltree. The blossoms not only add a burst of color to gardens and landscapes but also play an essential role in attracting pollinators such as hummingbirds and bees.
The Cockspur coraltree is typically deciduous and can reach impressive heights, contributing a distinctive architectural form to its surroundings with its unique, twisted branches and often thorny stems. The leaves are trifoliate, comprising three leaflets which provide a lush, green backdrop to the brilliant flowers.
This species is highly adaptable, often found in both urban gardens and wild settings, showcasing its versatility and hardiness. It prefers areas with full sunlight and well-drained soil, though it can tolerate occasional flooding. Moreover, it is recognized as a nitrogen-fixing plant, which enhances soil fertility and supports surrounding vegetation.
First described in academic literature in 1767 by the renowned botanist Carl Linnaeus (denoted as L. in botanical citations), Erythrina crista-galli continues to be of interest not just for its aesthetic appeal but also for its ecological benefits and adaptability.
Overall, the Cockspur coraltree, with its extraordinary flowers and resilient nature, remains a popular choice for gardeners and botanists alike, offering both beauty and ecological value to the environments it inhabits.
Common Names
Eng: cockspur coral tree, cockspur coraltree, cry-baby-tree, crybabytree
Spa: ceibo, seibo
Por: corticeira
Swe: korallbuske
En: Cockspur coraltree, Cry-baby-tree, Cockspur coral tree, Crybabytree, Cockspur coral-tree, Coral Tree, Crying Baby, Peruvian-national-flower, Ceibo, Cry-baby tree
Fr: Erythrine crête-de-coq
De: Korallenstrauch, Hahnenkamm, Hahnenkammbaum, Heulsuse, Karibischer Korallenstrauch, Korallenbaum
Pt: Corticeira, Coral
Es: Ceibo, Seibo, Gallo-gallito
Sv: Korallbuske
Synonyms
- Erythrina graefferi (Tineo)
- Erythrina compacta (W.Bull)
- Corallodendron crista-galli ((L.) Kuntze)
- Erythrina pulcherrima (Tod.)
- Erythrina crista-galli var. leucochlora (Lombardo)
- Erythrina crista-galli var. hasskarlii (Backer)
- Erythrina laurifolia (Jacq.)
- Erythrina crista-galli var. corallina (N.F.Mattos)
- Erythrina speciosa (Tod.)
- Erythrina crista-galli var. longiflora (M.A.Zapater & E.C.Lozano)
- Micropteryx crista-galli ((L.) Walp.)
- Erythrina fasciculata (Benth.)
- Micropteryx fasciculata ((Benth.) Walp.)
- Micropteryx laurifolia ((Jacq.) Walp.)
Distribution
- Argentina Northeast (native)
- Argentina Northwest (native)
- Brazil Northeast (native)
- Brazil South (native)
- Brazil Southeast (native)
- Brazil West-Central (native)
- Paraguay (native)
- Uruguay (native)
- Bolivia (introduced)
- Cuba (introduced)
- Dominican Republic (introduced)
- Egypt (introduced)
- Ethiopia (introduced)
- Hawaii (introduced)
- India (introduced)
- Jawa (introduced)
- Kenya (introduced)
- Leeward Is. (introduced)
- Mozambique (introduced)
- Nepal (introduced)
- New Guinea (introduced)
- New South Wales (introduced)
- Northern Provinces (introduced)
- Peru (introduced)
- Puerto Rico (introduced)
- Queensland (introduced)
- Rwanda (introduced)
- Society Is. (introduced)
- Sudan (introduced)
- Swaziland (introduced)
- Tanzania (introduced)
- Trinidad-Tobago (introduced)
- Uganda (introduced)
- Windward Is. (introduced)
- Zimbabwe (introduced)
Additional Images
Flower
Taken Oct 5, 2018 by Veronika Maria Sauter (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 30, 2021 by Antoine 🌱 AFFOUARD (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 12, 2018 by Silvana Sarracino (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 19, 2017 by Peter T (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 27, 2018 by Pablo Otero (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Dec 8, 2019 by Correa Gregorio (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 23, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Pierre Bonnet (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 30, 2021 by Antoine 🌱 AFFOUARD (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 30, 2021 by Antoine 🌱 AFFOUARD (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 29, 2018 by Adrian Pablo Alvarez (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Oct 25, 2014 by Szabolcs Frater (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 10, 2020 by FERREIRA DIEGO CÉSAR (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 6, 2021 by SergioPlantNet (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 30, 2021 by Antoine 🌱 AFFOUARD (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 29, 2022 by Lisandro Bianchi (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Mar 20, 2022 by buttarelli Franco (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 27, 2021 by ELEJALDE Iñaki (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 15, 2020 by brodiebotanical (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 21, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 4, 2022 by Kai Best (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Sep 3, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Michel GAUBERT (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 22, 2020 by FERREIRA DIEGO CÉSAR (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 25, 2014 by Szabolcs Frater (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 16, 2019 by nobre jose (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 17, 2020 by FERREIRA DIEGO CÉSAR (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken May 10, 2016 by elise pearl (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 3, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Michel GAUBERT (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 3, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Michel GAUBERT (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 1, 2022 by FERREIRA DIEGO CÉSAR (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 15, 2016 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Sources
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/5349719)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Erythrina crista-galli L.)
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:494400-1)
Specifications
Growth habit>: Shrub, Tree