Prickly Coral Tree

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Prickly Coral Tree
• coraltree

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Micropteryx stricta
• Erythrina stricta var. yunnanensis
• Corallodendron strictum
• Erythrina yunnanensis

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Fabales and the family Fabaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Erythrina and the specific species Erythrina stricta.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution across parts of East and South Asia. In China, it can be found growing within the South-Central and Southeast regions, as well as in Tibet. Its presence extends into the Indian Subcontinent, where it is specifically noted in the state of Assam. Additionally, the species is distributed across the nation of Bangladesh. These diverse locations highlight the plant's ability to thrive in various subtropical environments.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Erythrina stricta is characterized by its ability to thrive across a diverse altitudinal gradient, allowing it to inhabit various montane and sub-montane ecosystems. This species is found within an elevational range that extends from a minimum of 200 m AMSL to a maximum of 1600 m AMSL. This broad vertical distribution suggests an adaptability to fluctuating temperature regimes and varying moisture levels found between lowland and mid-altitude habitats. Within these zones, the plant typically integrates into specific vegetation structures where its survival is dictated by soil composition, sunlight availability, and the specific microclimates provided by its range.

Elevational range max:

1600 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

200 m AMSL

Morphology

The morphology of Erythrina stricta is characterized by its distinct growth form as a woody tree. Unlike climbing species, it does not exhibit a liana, vine, or self-supporting climber habit, nor does it function as an obligatory or facultative climber. The plant grows as an independent organism rather than a parasite, maintaining a fully independent nutritional status without being obligatory or facultative in its parasitic nature. Furthermore, it is a terrestrial plant rather than an epiphyte, and its structure is defined by a robust, woody composition.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Erythrina stricta is characterized by its specialized metabolic and structural adaptations, most notably its reliance on the C3 photosynthetic pathway. As a C3 plant, the carbon fixation process occurs directly through the Calvin cycle within the mesophyll cells, where the enzyme RuBisCO facilitates the initial carboxylation of atmospheric CO2 into a three-carbon molecule. This metabolic strategy is typical of many woody legumes, allowing the plant to optimize energy production under moderate environmental conditions, though it necessitates efficient stomatal regulation to balance gas exchange with transpiration rates. Beyond its photosynthetic mechanics, the physiological profile of the species includes robust secondary metabolism, which involves the synthesis of diverse bioactive alkaloids and polyphenolic compounds that serve both as defense mechanisms and as functional components of its medicinal properties.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Erythrina stricta involves a complex interplay of biological mechanisms designed to ensure species survival and spatial distribution. The reproductive cycle typically begins with the development of showy flowers that facilitate pollination, often relying on specific animal vectors to transfer pollen. Once fertilization is successful, the plant produces seeds that are distributed through various dispersal syndromes to colonize new habitats. Among these mechanisms, the plant exhibits an anemochorous dispersal syndrome, utilizing wind to transport seeds or components, while also engaging in zoochorous dispersal, where animals assist in the movement of seeds. Furthermore, the species demonstrates autochorous tendencies through self-dispersal mechanisms and may occasionally utilize hydrochorous dispersal via water currents. In some ecological contexts, the dispersal may even appear unspecialized, allowing the plant to take advantage of diverse environmental vectors to optimize its reproductive success.

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Erythrina stricta has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Alpinum Isoflavone, Caryophyllene oxide, Erythrinassinate B, Luteone, Obovatin.

Alpinum Isoflavone

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Caryophyllene oxide

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Erythrinassinate B

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Luteone

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Obovatin

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Wighteone

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Activities

Erythrina stricta has 2 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimicrobial, Antioxidant.

Antimicrobial

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antioxidant

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Conditions

Erythrina stricta has 5 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include asthma, contact dermatitis, dysentery, eczema, rheumatism.

Asthma

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Contact dermatitis

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Dysentery

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Eczema

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Rheumatism

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology