Common Name:
chilicote, southwest coral bean
Family Name:
Fabaceae
Botanical Name:
Erythrina flabelliformis
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics:
Erythrina flabelliformis is a deciduous small tree or shrub which is leafless for much of the year. Its leaflets are papery, triangular, and four inches wide by two inches long.
Compound:
Ery fla
Geographic Origin:
Desert Southwest
Ecozone Origin:
Nearctic
Biome Origin:
Natural History:
Erythrina flabelliformis, also referred to as the southwest coral bean, is a perennial shrub that is known for its red flowers and seeds (5). The word Erythrina comes from the Greek word “erythros” meaning red and flabelliform comes from the Latin word “flabellum” meaning fan, which describes the shape of its flowers (4). The shrub is primarily located in the Sonoran Desert, in the Southwestern United States, and in parts of Mexico (8). E. flabelliformis thrives in places such as Tucson, with a range that extends up into the mountains surrounding the city (3). The range of the southwest coral bean extends across Arizona, New Mexico, Baja California, and parts of Mexico (7).
Cultivation Notes:
The southwest coral bean does not have leaves for approximately nine months of the year, expect to see the red flowers and pods in the warmer months of spring and summer (7). The striking, red, flowers appear in spring and may rebloom in September, following monsoon rain. E. flabelliformis flowers only on twigs that are more than one year old, so if it incurs freezing damage, it might not bloom. Capable of recovering from freezing, but repeated freezing will keep the plant shrubby. The southwest coral bean is semi-hardy, and can withstand temperatures down to approximately 26°F. In order to protect the plant from frost, it should be planted in a courtyard, or against a south or west facing wall. E. flabelliformis grows best in fully sunny locations.
Ethnobotany:
Erythrina flabelliformis is known for being poisonous to humans (2), as its seeds are poisonous if ingested. The southwest coral bean has a symbiotic relationship with the hummingbird, its primary pollinator, it provides the hummingbird with sweet nectar, and the hummingbird provides the plant with an effective way of reproduction (7). Landscape experts recommend planting E. flabelliformis with evergreens in a landscape in order to contrast its leafless form against foliage.
Height:
6 - 10 feet
Width:
6 - 10 feet
Growth Rate:
Moderate Growing
Grow Season:
Spring
Flower Season:
Spring
Color:
Red
Function:
Accent
Spread:
Non-spreading
Allergen:
Non-allergenic
Invasive:
Benign
Toxicity:
Toxic
Hardy:
Semi-hardy
Water Use:
Moderate Water Use
