cockspur coral tree

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• cockspur coraltree
• cry-baby-tree
• Brazilian Coral Tree

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Micropteryx crista-galli
• Micropteryx fasciculata
• Erythrina crista-galli var. laurifolia
• Erythrina crista-galli var. speciosa
• Erythrina crista-galli var. longiflora
• Erythrina crista-galli var. hasskarlii
• Erythrina crista-galli var. leucochlora
• Corallodendron crista-galli
• Erythrina crista-galli var. corallina
• Micropteryx laurifolia
• Erythrina compacta
• Erythrina fasciculata
• Erythrina graefferi
• Erythrina laurifolia
• Erythrina pulcherrima

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Fabales, it is classified under the family Fabaceae. Specifically, it is identified by the genus Erythrina, with its species name being crista-galli.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several distinct regions of the African continent and its surrounding islands. In Northern Africa, its presence has been documented within the borders of Egypt. The species also extends to the Macaronesian region, specifically inhabiting the island of Madeira. Moving into the tropical zones, it can be found in West-Central Tropical Africa in Rwanda. Finally, its range reaches Northeast Tropical Africa, encompassing both Ethiopia and the Sudan-South Sudan area.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Erythrina cristata-galli is characterized by its preference for moist, high-humidity environments, specifically thriving within riparian forests (Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria) and ombrophilous forests, such as tropical rainforests (Floresta Ombrófila/Pluvial). This species displays a broad altitudinal distribution, occupying a wide ecological gradient that begins at sea level (0 m AMSL) and reaches an elevation of up to 1500 m AMSL. On average, the plant is most commonly found at a mean elevation of approximately 350 m AMSL, where the specific combination of moisture and forest structure supports its growth and medicinal potency.

Elevational range max:

1500 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

350 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial)

Life history

The life history of Erythrina cristata-galli is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its reproductive shoots are elevated well above the ground, a structural trait common to its woody architecture. The plant exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage seasonally, which influences its metabolic rhythms and phenology throughout the year.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Erythrina cristata-galli is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree. It is a self-supporting, terrestrial plant that functions as an independent organism, meaning it is not a parasite or an epiphyte. In terms of stature, the plant exhibits significant variation in height, typically ranging from a minimum of 3 m to a maximum of 12 m, with an average plant height of approximately 8 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

12 m

Plant height mean:

8 m

Plant height min:

3 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Erythrina cristata-galli is characterized by its efficient metabolic and structural adaptations, most notably its utilization of the C3 photosynthetic pathway for carbon fixation. The plant exhibits significant morphological variability in its foliage, with leaf dimensions ranging from a minimum length of 3 cm to a maximum length of 9 cm, while the leaf width fluctuates between 2 cm and 5 cm. Furthermore, the species plays a vital role in soil nutrient cycling through its capability as a nitrogen fixer, facilitating a symbiotic relationship that enhances nitrogen availability within its ecosystem.

Leaf length max:

9 cm

Leaf length min:

3 cm

Leaf width max:

5 cm

Leaf width min:

2 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Erythrina crista-galli is driven by a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on birds to facilitate the transfer of pollen. The plant produces fruits characterized as pods, which are dehiscence-type structures that open at maturity to release the seeds. The seeds themselves exhibit a specific mass distribution, with a mean seed mass of 0.3728 g, ranging from a minimum of 0.288 g to a maximum of 0.4304 g.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Fruit type :

pod

Pollination syndrome :

bird

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

0.4304 g

Seed mass mean:

0.3728 g

Seed mass min:

0.288 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Erythrina crista-galli has 2 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, stem.

Leaf

1. Natural product research

Stem

1. Medicinal chemistry (Shariqah (United Arab Emirates))

Chemicals

Erythrina crista-galli has 39 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Erythraline, (S)-Coclaurine, (S)-Norreticuline, (S)-norprotosinomenine, 4-hydroxymellein.

Erythraline

1. Dr. Duke
2. Phytochemistry

(S)-Coclaurine

1. Phytochemistry

(S)-Norreticuline

1. Phytochemistry

(S)-norprotosinomenine

1. Phytochemistry

4-hydroxymellein

1. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences

Arachidic acid

1. Dr. Duke

Clavatol

1. Zeitschrift fur Naturforschung. C, Journal of biosciences

Cyanidin 3-glucoside

1. Dr. Duke

Cyanidin 3-sophoroside

1. Dr. Duke

Eicosenoic acid

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Erythrina crista-galli has 128 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antiinflammatory, 5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor, Abortifacient, Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor, Allergenic.

Antiinflammatory

1. Dr. Duke
2. The Journal of antibiotics

5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Abortifacient

1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Natural product research

Anemiagenic

1. Dr. Duke

AntiMS

1. Dr. Duke

Antiacne

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Erythrina crista-galli has 3 reported medicinal uses identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include astringent, pain, wounds.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations