plant-banner1

NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details

Erythrina herbacea

Coral Bean, Coralbean, Coral-bean, Redcardinal, Cardinal-spear

Scientific Name:

Erythrina herbacea

Genus:

Erythrina

Species Epithet:

herbacea

Common Name:

Coral Bean, Coralbean, Coral-bean, Redcardinal, Cardinal-spear

Plant Type

Herb/Wildflower

Life Cycle

Perennial

Plant Family

Fabaceae (Legume Family)

Native/Alien:

NC Native

Size:

3-6 ft., 6-12 ft.

Bloom Color(s):

Red

Light:

Sun - 6 or more hours of sun per day

Soil Moisture:

Dry

Bloom Time:

May, June, July

Growing Area:

Coastal Plain

Habitat Description:

Maritime forests, dry sandy woodlands, sandhills in the outer Coastal Plain. Rare on the NC Coastal Plain.

Leaf Arrangement:

Alternate

Leaf Retention:

Deciduous

Leaf Type:

Leaves veined, not needle-like or scale-like

Leaf Form:

Compound

Life Cycle:

Perennial

Wildlife Value:

Has some wildlife value

Landscape Value:

Suitable for home landscapes

State Rank:

S2: Imperiled (*Key)

Global Rank:

G5 - Secure (*Key)

State Status:

E: Endangered (*Key)

Notes:

Hummingbirds get nectar from this plant. It is a perennial in our area, but a woody plant farther south and west.

The tropical-looking foliage and flowers of Coralbean

Ranging from SE NC where it is rare, to eastern Mexico, Coralbean is a beautiful hummingbird plant. A good garden plant as well.

image

C. Paynter, Wilmington

Leaves

image

C. Paynter, Wilmington

Seed pod and seeds

image

C. Paynter, Wilmington

Growing in pure sand on a dune at ocean's edge.

Brunswick Co., NC

The Scientific Name is Erythrina herbacea. You will likely hear them called Coral Bean, Coralbean, Coral-bean, Redcardinal, Cardinal-spear. This picture shows the Growing in pure sand on a dune at ocean's edge. of Erythrina herbacea

Larry Mellichamp

Close-up of tubular flowers on terminal stalks.

Beautfort Co., SC

The Scientific Name is Erythrina herbacea. You will likely hear them called Coral Bean, Coralbean, Coral-bean, Redcardinal, Cardinal-spear. This picture shows the Close-up of tubular flowers on terminal stalks. of Erythrina herbacea

Larry Mellichamp

Links:

USDA PLANTS Database Record



Permalink - (right click to save this page to your bookmarks)

<<< PREVIOUS

NEXT >>>

back to top
go to plant details search
go to plant images search
go to gallery home
back to Initial e Gallery
back to orchids
back to Carnivorous Plants
back to Trilliums