Home | > | List of families | > | Fabaceae subfamily Papilionoideae | > | Erythrina | > | latissima |
Synonyms: |
Erythrina gibbsae Baker f. |
Common names: | Broad-leaved coral-tree (English) Lucky-bean tree (English) Munhimbiti (Shona) Mutete (Shona) Mutiti (Shona) Mutsiti (Shona) Red-hot poker tree (English) Umgqogqogqo (Ndebele) |
Frequency: | Frequent |
Status: | Native |
Description: |
Small to medium sized tree with a thick, deeply fissured corky bark. Leaves 3-foliolate, large, broadly ovate; the central leaflet at least as broad as long, much larger than lateral leaflets, hairy when young and occasionally with a few scattered prickles on the under surface. Flowers in spectacular terminal heads, crimson to brown-red; calyx densely velvety. Fruit a strong, woody pod, constricted between the seeds, almost black when ripe. |
Notes: | This species closely resembles Erythrina abyssinica but has much larger leaves, flowers and pods. The inflorescences tend to be darker red than in E. abyssinica. |
Derivation of specific name: | latissima: very broad, referring to the leaves |
Habitat: | In a wide variety of wooded habitats. |
Altitude range: (metres) | 1000 - 1710 m |
Flowering time: | Jul - Oct |
Worldwide distribution: | Botswana, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Eswatini and eastern South Africa. |
Zimbabwe distribution: | N,W,C,E,S |
Growth form(s): | Tree. |
Endemic status: | |
Red data list status: | |
Insects associated with this species: | |
Spot characters: | Display spot characters for this species |
Images last updated: | Saturday 10 February 2007 |
Literature: |
Bingham, M.G. (2011). Erythrina in Zambia Black Lechwe 18(1) Pages 19 - 20. (Includes a picture). Burrows, J.E., Burrows, S.M., Lötter, M.C. & Schmidt, E. (2018). Trees and Shrubs Mozambique Publishing Print Matters (Pty), Cape Town. Page 305. (Includes a picture). Chapano, C. & Mugarisanwa, N.H. (2003). Plants of the Matobo District National Herbarium and Botanic Garden, Zimbabwe Page 16. Drummond, R.B. (1972). A list of Rhodesian Legumes. Kirkia 8(2) Page 220. Drummond, R.B. (1975). A list of trees, shrubs and woody climbers indigenous or naturalised in Rhodesia. Kirkia 10(1) Page 247. Mackinder, B. et al. (2001). Papilionoideae Flora Zambesiaca 3(5) Pages 12 - 13. Mapaura, A. & Timberlake, J. (eds) (2004). A checklist of Zimbabwean vascular plants Southern African Botanical Diversity Network Report No. 33 Sabonet, Pretoria and Harare Page 48. Setshogo, M.P. (2005). Preliminary checklist of the plants of Botswana. Sabonet Report no. 37. Sabonet, Pretoria and Gaborone Page 66. Steedman, E.C. (1933). Some Trees, Shrubs and Lianes of Southern Rhodesia. Page 24. Erroneously as Erythrina tomentosa |
Home | > | List of families | > | Fabaceae subfamily Papilionoideae | > | Erythrina | > | latissima |