Erythrina zeyheri

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide range of locations across the southern portion of the continent. Within South Tropical Africa, its presence is specifically noted in Zimbabwe. Moving into the broader Southern Africa region, it can be found growing in Botswana. Its distribution also extends through the Cape Provinces and the mountainous terrain of Lesotho. Additionally, the species is documented to occur within the KwaZulu-Natal area.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Erythrina zehyeri is characterized by its ability to inhabit diverse topographical gradients, ranging from lower-altitude tropical environments to higher montane zones. This species demonstrates significant adaptability across a broad altitudinal spectrum, typically found at elevations starting from a minimum of 300 m AMSL and extending up to a maximum of 2050 m AMSL. This wide elevational range suggests that the plant can thrive in various microclimates and moisture regimes, occupying ecological niches that span from lowland forests to more temperate mid-elevation habitats.

Elevational range max:

2050 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

300 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Erythrina zehyeri is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to maintain a presence in its ecosystem over many successive years. As a long-lived woody plant, its development transitions from an initial establishment phase through a period of sustained vegetative growth, eventually reaching reproductive maturity where it undergoes seasonal cycles of flowering and seed production. This perennial nature ensures that the plant can endure varying environmental conditions, often establishing robust root systems that support its long-term survival and ability to regenerate within its natural habitat.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Erythrina zeyheri is characterized by its growth form as a shrub, displaying a woody structure that defines its physical composition. This plant is primarily terrestrial in its habitat, functioning as an independent organism rather than acting as a parasite or an epiphyte. In terms of stature, it is a relatively low-growing species, with a plant height ranging from a minimum of 0.3 m to a maximum of 0.5 m. Furthermore, it is a self-supporting plant, possessing the structural integrity to maintain its form without the need for climbing mechanisms.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

0.5 m

Plant height min:

0.3 m

Woodiness :

woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Erythrina zeyheri 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 leaf.

Leaf

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology