This exotic-looking shrub or tree is grown in tropical and warm regions for its unique branch structure and often astonishingly beautiful flowers. Named for its coral-reef-like architecture, the Coral Tree is an often thorny or spiny plant that can be grown alone or as a hedge. Types that bear flowers on shoots of the current season's growth should be pruned after flowering. Prune types such as Erythrina crista-gali and Erythrina speciosa, which bear flowers on shoots developed the previous year, after the shoots have died. Water sparingly in summer.
The leaflets of this tree are thin and papery. The terminal leaflet extends to 3 inches long. Short flower clusters develop while leaves are young. Fruit grows to 1 foot long.