Family: FABACEAE
Genus: Erythrina
Species: berteroana
Species Author: Urban
Erythrina berteroana is a 10 m tall tree with alternate trifoliate leaves, 10-35 cm long. The leaves are heliotropic, which means that they change their orientation to the light, throughout the day, following the movement of sun, to maximize photosynthesis. The flowers appear in terminal racemes. Each flower is about 5 to 10 cm long, pinkish to red with pubescent ovary, protruding anthers and 10 stamens. The fruit is a dark brown curved pod, 10-30 cm long, with a 2-4 cm long beak. Inside of the pod there are several bright orange red seeds, each of them with a distinct black hilum.
(Morton, J.F. 1981. Atlas of Medicinal Plants of Middle America.)
(Little, E.L., Jr., and Wadsworth, F.H. 1964. Common trees of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.)
The alkaloids from Erythrina berteroana have narcotic, poisonous and sedative action. Coralbean is used as a folk remedy for dysmenorrhea and other female ailments. A decoction of the sedative flowers is used for dysentery, hemorrhages and nervousness. Guatemalans believe that tucking the flowers and leaves under ones pillow will make one sleep well.
(Duke, J. A. 1972. Isthmian Ethnobotanical Dictionary.)
(Duke, J.A. and Wain, K.K. 1981. Medicinal Plants of the World.)
(Morton, J.F. 1981. Atlas of Medicinal Plants of Middle America.)
Coralbean plants contain alkaloids that are toxic when ingested. While they are generally not fatal, eating the leaves or seeds may cause severe diarrhea or vomiting.
(Little, E.L., Jr., and Wadsworth, F.H. 1964. Common Trees of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.)
Coralbean is grown as a living fence post, as fuel-wood species and cork substitute and as support in vanilla plantations. The wood, which is whitish, soft and lightweight is used for carving toys and figurines. The poisonous seeds are strung into bracelets, necklaces, and novelties. The bark yields a yellow dye, while the crushed branches are used to intoxicate fish.
(Little, E.L., Jr., and Wadsworth, F.H. 1964. Common Trees of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.)
(Duke, J. A. 1972. Isthmian Ethnobotanical Dictionary.)
(Information for this species compiled and recorded by Camelia Cirnaru, NTBG Consultant.)
Erythrina berteroana is native to Central America. This tree is a common species in Cuba and Hispaniola, where it grows wild or naturalized and it is cultivated and naturalized in Panama.
(Morton, J.F. 1981. Atlas of Medicinal Plants of Middle America.)
In Guatemala, the flower buds, young leaves, and young twigs are eaten like stringbeans. In El Salvador and other parts of Central America, the young flowers and new growth are added to soups and other food preparations as a vegetable.
(Little, E.L., Jr., and Wadsworth, F.H. 1964. Common Trees of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.)
The showy red blossoms and bright coral seeds of Coralbean make this species a popular ornamental accent plant in sunny gardens. The flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds with their sweet nectar and noticeable color. Coralbeans are also popular with birds and small wildlife who consume the large seeds in late summer and fall. Cattle and rabbits graze the young shoots and leaves.
(Little, E.L., Jr., and Wadsworth, F.H. 1964. Common Trees of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.)
We currently have 5 herbarium specimens for Erythrina berteroana in our collection. Click on any specimen below to view the herbarium sheet data.
- 007739 - collected by Scott Lucas in 1981
- 007851 - collected by Joel Lau in 1986
- 007738 - collected by Tim Flynn in 1986
- 007737 - collected by Tim Flynn in 1986
- 043120 - collected by Melany H. Chapin in 1998
