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Eastern Coral Bean
ExplorePlants
Eastern Coral Bean
Erythrina herbacea
The Eastern Coral Bean is a colorful shrub with bright red flowers that attract hummingbirds. Its unique seed pods look like little beans and can be fun to spot in gardens and parks.
Habitat: Urban areas
Appearance
The Eastern Coral Bean has striking, fiery red, tubular flowers clustered on tall spikes. Its leaves are typically three-lobed, and it produces dark brown seed pods containing bright, glossy scarlet seeds that are very eye-catching.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderFabalesFamilyFabaceaeGenusErythrina
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
2/5 · Low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Even if frozen to the ground, this tough plant can sprout back from its deep roots!
Its vibrant red seeds were once used by Native Americans to make colorful necklaces!
The beautiful, shiny red seeds are so hard, they can survive for many decades!
The name 'Erythrina' comes from a Greek word meaning 'red,' describing its fiery blooms!
Special abilities
Ability
Hummingbird Beacon
Eastern Coral Bean has vibrant red flowers that act like a beacon, attracting hummingbirds to help with pollination.
Ability
Resilient Roots
Eastern Coral Bean can die back to the ground in winter or after fire, but regrows from its tough underground taproot.
Ability
Toxic Treasure
Eastern Coral Bean has seeds containing powerful alkaloids that protect them from being eaten by many animals.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 100-300 cm
- Spread
- 100-200 cm
- Flower Size
- 3-5 cm
- Bloom Season
- Late winter to spring, sometimes summer
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- High
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Bird
Ecological connections
pollinates
Ruby-throated Hummingbird
Archilochus colubris
visits for nectar, helping seed production
pollinates
Honey Bee
Apis mellifera
collects nectar and pollen from flowers
eaten by
Erythrina Borer Moth
Terastia meticulosalis
larvae bore into stems and pods of the plant
Traits
Deciduous
Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Nitrogen Fixing
Describes organisms capable of converting atmospheric nitrogen into compounds usable by plants.
Shrub
A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground.
Summer Blooming
Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished.
Colorful
Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Urban Friendly
This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces.
Also known as
Coral Bean
Collections
Safety
Danger
2/5 · Low
While the plant is beautiful, it's best to look and not touch, as some parts can be harmful if eaten.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Eastern Coral Bean?
100-300 cm
How wide does Eastern Coral Bean spread?
100-200 cm
How big are the flowers on Eastern Coral Bean?
3-5 cm
When does Eastern Coral Bean bloom?
Late winter to spring, sometimes summer
Is Eastern Coral Bean edible?
No
Is Eastern Coral Bean toxic?
High
What is Eastern Coral Bean's lifecycle?
Perennial
How is Eastern Coral Bean pollinated?
Bird
Snap Map
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