Erythrina afra

Erythrina afra, commonly known as the coastal coral tree and previously scientifically E. caffra, E. constantiana and E. fissa respectively t different times, is a medium to large deciduous tree growing a spreading crown, reaching heights from 9 m to 20 m (SA Tree List No. 245).

The leaves are trifoliolate as is common for the genus. Flowers appear in dense racemes, the petal colouring scarlet, orange or occasionally cream. The nectar attracts sunbirds.

The species distribution is coastal in the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal, also found in eSwatini (Swaziland) and Mozambique.

The habitat is riverine and coastal forest. The habitat population is deemed of least concern early in the twenty first century (Coates Palgrave, 2002; Pooley, 1993; iNaturalist; http://redlist.sanbi.org).