Indian coral tree, Coral Tree
A tropical plant. It is native from India to the Philippines and the Pacific. It mostly grows naturally along the dunes very close to the coast but is transplanted as an ornamental. It will grow up to 900 m altitude. It has been recorded up to 2,200 m above sea level in PNG. It is tolerant to salt. It can tolerate drought. It needs full sun. It can grow in a wide range of soils and soil pH values from 4.5-8.0. It is a nitrogen fixing tree so can grow on poor soils. It can grow in arid places. It suits hardiness zones 11-12. In Yunnan.
Also known as:
'atae, Badisa, Badita, Bangaro, Baridamu, Belendoong, Berebedhi, Butsu daavi, Chengkering, Citong, Dadap aykam, Dadap belang, Dadap blendung, Dap-dap, Dedap, Drala, Erabadu, Faiy-kurehi, Far-tuah, Galala itam, Gatae, Gate, Harivana, In-kathit, Kalayana-murikku, Kaliyanamurukku, Kathit-phyu, Mandar, Mandara, Mandaram, Milimbit, Modugu, Nara, Natae, Netae, Ngatae, Paar, Palita mandar, Palita, Panaraweo, Panervo, Panga, Pangara, Pangra, Parepein, Parijata, Pinle-kathit, Raar, Tawng lang, Tawng puak, Thethek, Thong-laang-laai, Thorny Tong, Tiger's claw, Varjipe, Vong nem, Waigunda, Weeku, Wiliwili hole
Synonyms
- Chirocalyx candolleanus Walp.
- and others Corallodendron divaricatum (Moc. & Sesse) Kuntze
- Corallodendron orientale (L.) Kuntze
- Erythrina corallodendon var. orientalis L.
- Erythrina indica Lam.
- Erythrina indica var. orientalis (L.) Miller
- Erythrina lithosperma Bl. ex Miq.
- Erythrina orientalis (L.) Merrill
- Erythrina parcellii hort.
- Tetradapa javanorum Osbeck
- and others
Edible Portion
- Seeds, Leaves, Vegetable, Pods, Flowers
Where does Indian coral tree grow?
Found in: Africa, American Samoa, Andamans, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, British Indian Ocean Terr., BIOT, Cambodia, Cape Verde, China, East Africa, East Timor, Egypt, Fiji, Guam, Haiti, Hawaii, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Japan, Kiribati, Laos, Madagascar, Malaysia, Maldives, Mariana Islands, Marquesas, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Myanmar, Nigeria, North Africa, Northeastern India, Pacific, Palau, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Philippines, Pohnpei, Rotuma, Ruukyu, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, Senegal, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Uganda, United States, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Wallis & Futuna, West Africa, Yap
Notes: There are 108 Erythrina species.
Status: The tree occurs in many lowland areas of Papua New Guinea, but the leaves are only eaten by Sepik people at present.
Growing Indian coral tree, Coral Tree
Cultivation: Trees can be grown from seed. Seed will remain viable for several years. Trees do not breed true from seed. Cuttings also grow easily. Large cuttings can be used.
Edible Uses: The young leaves are eaten cooked. They are added to soups, stews and curries. The seeds are eaten after boiling or roasting. The young tender pods are boiled and eaten. The roots of seedlings less than 45 cm high are roasted and eaten. CAUTION Some similar coral trees contain alkaloids and are used as medicine. The seeds are poisonous raw.
Production: It is fast growing. It can grow 1.5 m each year. Trees can live for 100 years.
Nutrition Info
per 100g edible portion| Edible Part | Energy (kcal) | Protein (g) | Iron (mg) | Vitamin A (ug) | Vitamin c (mg) | Zinc (mg) | % Water |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leaves | 69 | 5 | 4.1 | - | - | 0.9 | 78.1 |
Indian coral tree, Coral Tree Photos
References
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