|
|
Erythrina variegata L.= Erythrina indica Lam.Fabaceae (Pea Family)India, MalayaCoral Tree |
February Photo
Plant Characteristics:
Large tree, sometimes with small black prickles but usually unarmed;
lfts. broad-ovate to rhombic-ovate, short-pointed or the terminal one cuspidate,
4-6 in. long and as broad, entire, rather thin, glabrous; fls. scarlet, large
and showy, in dense racemes, 2-3 in. long; calyx spathe-like, oblique and not
2-lipped, splitting on the back down to the base; standard ovate or oval,
standing erect or nearly so, the keel and wings shorter than calyx; stamens
standing alone and prominent; pod 6-12 in. long, thick; seeds 5/8-3/4 in. long,
turgid, red, bean-like.
Habitat:
Escape from cultivation, a common yard or parkway tree in southern
California.
Name:
Greek, Erythriana, red from the
color of the fls. (Bailey 578).
Latin, indicus, of India. (Jaeger
127). Latin, variegatus, of various colors, variegated. (Jaeger 304)
(Bailey 23).
General:
Uncommon in the study area, with only three trees known the first found
in 1985 and the others in 2002. The first tree is located along the path between
North Star beach and Mariners Dr. The tree is almost at the level of highest
tide. The other two trees were discovered in the willows below Eastbluff North;
these trees are at least 40 feet tall. (my comments).
Probably 50 or so species in warm temperate and tropic regions around the
world. (Bailey 577).
Roberts, in his A CHECKLIST OF THE VASCULAR PLANTS of ORANGE
COUNTY, CALIFORNIA, Second Edition 1998, p74. shows E. variegata as
the latest name for this plant.
Text Ref:
Bailey 577.
Photo Ref:
Mar 5-April 1 85 # 8; July 1 85 # 7; Feb-Mar 86 # 12; May 2 87 # 7A;
Nov-April 01-02 # 20A.
Identity: by R. De Ruff,
confirmed by F. Roberts.
First Found: March 1985.
Computer Ref: Plant Data 103.
Plant specimen donated to UC Riverside in 2004.
Last edit 8/4/05.
 |
 |
.