Family: Fabaceae
Common name: Cockspur coral tree, Coral tree, Coral bush, Ceibo
For an unassuming, simple tree, the Coral tree has the most astonishing-looking crab-claw-like red flowers. The name Crista-galli means ‘cock’s comb’, a very apt name for this tree.
Tree characteristics
It can grow to a height of 5-8 meters, with a thick trunk and uniformly radiating branches that contain backward bending thorns.
Leaves are roughly oval in shape with a slightly pointed tip. Flowers of the Coral tree are stunningly unique, deep red with a crab-claw like shape.
The flowers have 5 petals, the largest petal called ‘standard’ giving the flower it’s unique shape. It’s very long, boat-shaped and holds all the other petals, stamens and style inside.
The remaining petals are small and fused together. The flowers then form legume-like fruits, with a long pod having 8-10 seeds in each.
Gardening tips
Coral trees are excellent for home gardens, parks, and landscaped areas since they are small tree that spread moderately, and bloom in plenty.
These trees need good sunlight to grow and bloom well. Once they are established in the soil, the tree does not need much care and maintenance. Regular watering is need only when the tree is small, or during severe summer.
Pruning can be done to keep the tree well-rounded and healthy.
Uses of coral tree
Coral tree is the national tree of Argentina and the flowers are national flowers of Argentina and Uruguay. The trees look pretty standard till they burst out into magnificent flowers in summer, the red colored crab claws filling the tree with exuberance.
Coral tree flowers are rich in nectar, attracting pollinating insects, that literally crawl inside of the flower to collect nectar, thereby pollinating it.
Propagation
Propagation is from seeds or stem cuttings.
Seeds collected from parent plants should be dried and soaked in water before they are sown in well-drained, moist soil.
Photographed at: Sobha Petunia, Bangalore
