Common Coral Tree

Afrikaans name: Gewone koraalboom

Flowers of the Common Coral Tree

Photo © Steven Herbert

Erythrina lysistemon

The Common Coral Tree is endemic to South Africa and is well known for its stunning flowers.

It is a medium size tree that can grow to 12 metres in height.

The beautiful orange-red flowers not only appeal to humans - they appeal to birds and insects as well. The only difference is that the birds and insects aren't there to look at the flowers!

The flowers are evident for a few months from early spring onwards and at this stage the tree has shed most of its leaves.

Common Coral Tree

Photo © Steven Herbert

References and further reading

Whats that Tree? - Author: Eugene Moll - Published: 2011 - Page: 72

Trees of Southern Africa - 3rd edition - Author: Keith Coates Palgrave - Published: 2002 - Page: 400

Trees of Kruger - Author: Braam and Piet van Wyk - Published: 2023 - Page: 179

The Natal Bushveld - Volume 1 - Author: Natal Parks Board - Published: 1981 - Page: 63

Trees & Shrubs of the Witwatersrand, Magaliesberg & Pilanesberg - Author: Joan van Gogh - Published: 1988 - Page: 38

Trees and Shrubs of the Witwatersrand - Author: Tree Society of SA - Published: 1974 - Page: 190

The Gardener - 2010/06 - Author: - Published: 2010 - Page: 42

Sixty-six Transvaal Trees - Author: B de Winter, M de Winter & D Killick - Published: 1996 - Page: 84

The Gardener - 2018/07 - Author: - Published: 2018 - Page: 6

The Gardener - 2017/08 - Author: - Published: 2017 - Page: 6

The Complete Field Guide to Trees of Natal, Zululand and Transkei - Author: Elsa Pooley - Published: 1994 - Page: 176

Struik Pocket Guides for Southern Africa - Poisonous Plants - Author: Eugene and Glen Moll - Published: 1989 - Page: 20

Sasol First Field Guide to Trees of Southern Africa - Author: Elsa Pooley - Published: 1999 - Page: 30

Sappi Tree Spotting: KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape - 2nd edition - Author: Val Thomas and Rina Grant - Published: 2004 - Page: 272

Sappi Tree Spotting: Bushveld - 2nd edition - Author: R Grant and V Thomas - Published: 2005 - Page: 112

SA Wild Flower Guide No 4 - Transvaal Lowveld - Author: Jo Onderstall - Published: 1984 - Page: 112

Pollinators, Predators and Parasites - Author: C. Scholtz, J. Scholtz, H. De Klerk - Published: 2021 - Page: 381

Pocket Guide - Trees of Southern Africa - Author: Piet van Wyk - Published: 2013 - Page: 61

Photographic Guide to Trees of Southern Africa - Author: B, P, and B-E van Wyk - Published: 2000 - Page: 135

Piet van Wyks Field Guide to the Trees of the Kruger National Park - 1st edition - Author: Piet van Wyk - Published: 1988 - Page: 100

Indigenous Garden Plants of Southern Africa - Author: Glenice Ebedes - Published: 2017 - Page: 28

Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd edn - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1991 - Page: 391

Indigenous Beginnings - Author: Anneke Kearney - Published: 2008 - Page: 35

Field Guide to the Trees of the Kruger National Park - 5th edition - Author: Piet van Wyk - Published: 2008 - Page: 100

Field Guide To The Wild Flowers Of The Witwatersrand & Pretoria Region - Author: Braam van Wyk & Sasa Malan - Published: 1988 - Page: 206

Garden Birds in South Africa - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 2017 - Page: 161

Healing Trees & Plants of the Lowveld - Author: Dumes, Loon and Bester - Published: 2009 - Page: 32

Everyones Guide to Trees of South Africa - Author: Keith, Paul and Meg Coates Palgrave - Published: 1989 - Page: 43

A site-by-site guide to trees in the Kruger National Park - Author: Marissa Greeff - Published: 2017 - Page: 112

A Field Guide to the Trees of Southern Africa - 1st edition - Author: E. Palmer - Published: 1977 - Page: 144

A Field Guide to the Trees of Southern Africa - Revised - Author: E. Palmer - Published: 1983 - Page: 159

For more info: SANBI

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