10 Cream Flowering Coast Coral Tree Seeds - Erythrina caffra, Kuskoraalboom - Indigenous Tree

Erythrina caffra Seeds

CREAM FLOWERING FORM

Common Names: Coast Coral Tree, Kuskoraalboom

Erythrina is known as the red genus and E. caffra is widely loved for its warm red to scarlet-coloured flowers, which appear from the cold winter months up to spring. Its popularity can be ascribed to its ease of cultivation and long flowering period. The coastal coral tree is an ideal garden plant and, because of its unique appearance, has continued to draw the interest of botanists, horticulturist, nature lovers, and the general gardening public for many decades.

In South Africa, Erythrina caffra is seen as a royal tree: it is a much respected and admired tree in the Zulu culture and is believed to have magic properties. Specimens have been planted on the graves of many Zulu chiefs. In parts of the Eastern Cape, local inhabitants will not burn the wood of Erythrina caffra for fear of attracting lightning.

Erythrina caffra is a medium-sized to large deciduous tree, 9-12 x 7-11 m. Its size depends largely on the climate and soil conditions. This species forms a round-headed, spreading canopy and has a beautifully light green appearance when in leaf. Trees may even reach a height of 20 m in coastal and forested regions where the conditions are optimal. Some of the largest and most beautiful specimens grow in the Addo National Park's Alexandria Forest where, next to the yellowwoods, they are the tallest trees. The trunk and branches are grey, sometimes set with short, sharp prickles.

The leaves closely resemble those of a sister species, E. lysistemon (sacred coral tree), which is why it was for many years thought to be the same species. When not in flower it can be rather difficult to tell the two species apart.

The flowers are spectacular and are produced before the leaves appear and carried in large clusters at the ends of thick, fleshy stalks. Superficially they are shaped like cockscombs. Flowering starts from winter and carries on throughout spring. E caffra has mainly orange-scarlet flowers with a tinge of terracotta, in contrast to the clear scarlet of E. lysistemon. There are also rare forms of E. caffra, which bear cream-coloured flowers, which is the form on offer here.

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