Erytherina Speciosa
Family : Leguminosae-Papilionoideae
Common Name : Pink Coral Tree
English Name : Pink Coral Tree
Hindi : Panjra
Tree Characteristics :
Erythrina speciosa is a spiny, deciduous shrub or small tree with an open crown; it can grow 3 - 5 metres tall. The bole can be 15 - 25cm in diameter with a rough, corky bark. The plant is often grown as a hedge in Brazil, and is also very suitable for use as a pioneer to restore native woodland or establish a woodland garden. Very ornamental when in bloom, it can be used for general landscaping and is particularly suitable as a street tree for narrow streets.
Nursery Practice :
Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a partially shaded position in individual containers. A high germination rate can usually be expected from fresh seed, with the seed sprouting within 10 - 20 days. The seedlings develop quickly and they should be ready to plant out less than 4 months later. Like many species within the family Fabaceae, once they have been dried for storage the seeds of this species may benefit from scarification before sowing in order to speed up germination. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water. By this time they should have imbibed moisture and swollen - if they have not, then carefully make a nick in the seed coat (being careful not to damage the embryo) and soak for a further 12 hours before sowing.
Economic Uses :
Ø Used as Hedge plant.
Ø The wood is light in weight, smooth, porous, of low durability. Of low quality and small dimensions, it is seldom used but can be made into light boxes.
A fast-growing plant that succeeds in wetter soils and also fixes atmospheric nitrogen, this species can be used as a pioneer plant when restoring native woodland and, because of its small size, is very suitable for establishing woodland gardens. It is pollinated by Humming birds and Sunbirds.
