coraltree

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• coraltree
• immortelle-tree
• mountain immortelle

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Erythrina poeppigiana f. redmondii
• Micropteryx poeppigiana
• Erythrina pisamo
• Erythrina darienensis
• Erythrina amasisa

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Fabales, falling into the family Fabaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Erythrina and the specific species Erythrina poppigiana.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad distribution across several key regions of the African continent. In West Tropical Africa, its presence is documented in both Nigeria and Sierra Leone. Moving into West-Central Tropical Africa, it can be found around the Gulf of Guinea Islands and throughout the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Additionally, the species extends its reach into East Tropical Africa, specifically within Kenya. Consequently, the geographical range of Erythrina poepigiana spans from the western coast to the eastern highlands.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Erythrina poppigiana is characterized by its adaptability to diverse forest environments, specifically thriving within riparian forests (Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria) as well as upland terra firme forests (Floresta de Terra Firme). It exhibits a broad altitudinal distribution, ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum elevation of 2080 m AMSL, with a mean elevational presence of approximately 25 m AMSL. This wide vertical range suggests a capacity to inhabit both lowland tropical ecosystems and more elevated montane regions, depending on the specific forest structure available.

Elevational range max:

2080 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

25 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Floresta Ciliar ou Galeria, Floresta de Terra Firme

Life history

The life history of Erythrina poepigiana is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to establish a long-term presence in its natural habitat. As a perennial, it avoids the complete senescence seen in annuals, instead undergoing repeated cycles of growth, flowering, and seed production over many years. Its development involves a transition from a seedling stage to a woody, tree-like structure that can persist through various seasonal changes. The plant's longevity is supported by its ability to recover from environmental stressors, maintaining its physiological functions across multiple years. Throughout its extended lifespan, it follows a rhythmic biological pattern of vegetative expansion followed by episodic reproductive phases, ensuring its continued survival and dispersal within its ecosystem.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Erythrina poepigiana is characterized by its growth form as a woody tree, which functions as a self-supporting structure rather than a climber or liana. This terrestrial species reaches a significant stature, with a plant height that averages 25 m and a maximum potential height of 25 m. As an independent organism, it does not exhibit parasitic behavior and remains strictly terrestrial, lacking any epiphytic tendencies such as being a holoepiphyte or hemiepiphyte. Its structural integrity is defined by its woody nature, supporting its substantial height within its natural habitat.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

25 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Erythrina poppigiana is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, meaning it utilizes the Calvin cycle to fix carbon dioxide during the light-independent reactions. As a member of the Fabaceae family, this species functions as a nitrogen fixer, establishing a symbiotic relationship with rhizobia bacteria in its root nodules to convert atmospheric nitrogen into a bioavailable form, which significantly enhances its nutrient uptake and growth efficiency in nitrogen-poor soils.

Nitrogen fixer :

yes

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Erythrina poppigiana is characterized by a complex biological process involving biotic pollination and zoochorous dispersal. The plant relies on biotic pollination syndromes, specifically showing a strong affinity for birds to facilitate the transfer of pollen. The seeds produced through this reproductive cycle exhibit a specific mass range, with a minimum seed mass of 0.183 g and a maximum of 0.3682 g, resulting in a mean seed mass of approximately 0.244733333 g. Once the seeds are mature, they are dispersed via zoochory, utilizing animals to transport them to new locations, which aids in the spatial distribution and survival of the species.

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Pollination syndrome :

bird

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

0.3682 g

Seed mass mean:

0.244733333 g

Seed mass min:

0.183 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Erythrina poeppigiana has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include stem.

Stem

1. Planta medica

Chemicals

Erythrina poeppigiana has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Isoflavones, Isoflavonoids.

Isoflavones

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine

Isoflavonoids

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine

Preparations

Erythrina poeppigiana has 2 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include crude extracts, methanolic extract of the stem bark.

Crude extracts

1. Journal of complementary & integrative medicine

Methanolic extract of the stem bark

1. Planta medica