Erythrina humeana

Erythrina humeana, commonly known as the dwarf coral tree and previously scientifically as E. princeps and E. humei respectively at different times, is usually an erect, deciduous shrub around 1,5 m tall, occasionally a small tree reaching about 4 m in height (SA Tree List No. 243.1). 

Clusters of dense, red inflorescences render the shrub or tree colourful at bloomtime. The calyces are also flower coloured, albeit often a little paler or orange. Many flowers, also some erythrinas, reserve the spectacular colours only for the corollas. 

The species distribution is along the east coast of South Africa in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal as well as inland in the Lowveld of Mpumalanga and Limpopo. Not a South African endemic, the trees also grow in some neighbouring countries.

The habitat is coastal dunes, grassland, dry scrub and bushveld, the plants often seen on rocky outcrops. The habitat population is deemed of least concern early in the twenty first century.

This plant presents a good solution for the gardener with little space, as it is useful as a significant flowering plant. This is not called a dwarf coral tree for nothing! Andrew Hankey describes it as of window height, enabling the owner of the garden where it grows to observe the sunbirds feeding on nectar from the comfort of home. It withstands drought and a little frost (Pooley, 1993; iNaturalist; www.plantzafrica.com; http://redlist.sanbi.org).