Erythrina herbacea L. - Coral Bean
Family - Fabaceae
Stems:
Leaves:
Stipules.
Inflorescence:
Flowers:
Immature fruits.
Flowering - April - July.
Habitat - Hammocks, open sandy woods, clearings.
Origin - Native to North America.
Other information - This very attractive species can be found in the southern half of Alabama. The plant is easy to identify becasue of its distinct leaves and big inflorescences of brilliant red flowers. Nothing else in our flora resembles it. In very warm areas the plant can become a shrub or small tree to 8m tall.
The genus name Erythrina derives from the Greek "erythr(o)" meaning "red" obviously referring to the flowers.
The species epithet herbacea derives from the Latin "herb(a)" meaning "grass, low growing, not woody" because this species is more herbaceous than others in the genus.
Alabama Distribution:
Photographs taken off Hwy 21, near Haneyville, AL., 6-4-05.