Erythrina crista-galli L.

Spice Flower In the field

Family: LEGUMINOSAE

Genus: Erythrina

Catalan common name: Eritrina cresta de gall. Flor del coral.

Spanish common name: Árbol del coral. Ceibo. Cresta de gallo.

General distribution (Phytogeography): South America

Uses and properties: Furniture, construction and tools. Symbolic uses.

Flowering time: JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Life-forms: Macrophanerophyte.

Habitats: Garden plants. Gardens.

Characteristics: A small deciduous tree that can reach 10 m. The branches are spiny, same as the leaf petiole, which bears trifoliate leaves a dark green in colour. The folioles are oblong-lanceolate and 10-15 cm. in length. The flowers are very showy, large (up to 5 cm. in diameter), dark red in colour and bound around the seeds.

Observations: This plant bears the Argentine national flower.