Erythrina senegalensis

Erythrina senegalensis, the Senegal coraltree,[3] is a plant in the pea family Fabaceae, native to West Africa.

Erythrina senegalensis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Genus: Erythrina
Species:
E. senegalensis
Binomial name
Erythrina senegalensis
Synonyms[2]
  • Chirocalyx latifolius (Schumach. & Thonn.) Walp.
  • Corallodendron senegalense (DC.) Kuntze
  • Erythrina guineensis G.Don
  • Erythrina latifolia Schumach. & Thonn.
  • Macrocymbium vogelii Walp.

Description

Erythrina senegalensis grows as a tree up to 7 metres (23 ft) tall, rarely to 15 m (50 ft). The bark is fissured. The leaves are composed of three leaflets which measure up to 15 cm (6 in) long, on a thorny stalk. Inflorescences have many flowers with bright red petals. The seeds are poisonous.[2]

Distribution and habitat

Erythrina senegalensis is native to West Africa, across the region from Mauritania to Chad and Cameroon. Its habitat is in wooded grassland or savanna.[2]

Uses

Erythrina senegalensis is locally used in traditional medicine. The wood is locally used to make knife handles and the seeds to make necklaces. The species is cultivated as an ornamental and also used in hedges.[2]

References
  1. Contu, S. (2012). "Erythrina senegalensis". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2012: e.T19892718A20072141. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  2. "Erythrina senegalensis". Plants of the World Online. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  3. "Erythrina senegalensis". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 18 March 2020.


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