Erythrina (sandwicensis)

Kim Wilkinson Craig Elevitch Permanent Agriculture Resources P.O. Box 428 Holualoa, Hawaii 96725 808-324-4427 808-324-4129 (fax) par@agroforestry.net www.agroforestry.net

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Family Scientific Name:	Fabaceae
Family Common Name:	Legume
Scientific Name:	Erythrina sandwicensis Degener
Common Name:	Wiliwili, Hawaiian coral tree, tiger's claw
Ecotype:	dry forest
General Distribution:	Dry leeward slopes of all main Hawaiian islands, up to 600 m (1,950 ft)
Propagation Goal:	plants
Propagation Method:	seed
ProductType:	Container (plug)
Time To Grow:	0
Target Specifications:	Height: 25 cm, stem diameter: 10 mm
Propagule Collection:	Flowering can occur in the summer through November. Seeds are mature when the pod turns brown and the seeds become hard with a shiny seed coat. Mature pods can be collected from the tree or after falling to the ground.
Propagule Processing:	Seeds are easily cleaned by hand. Germination is commonly 90% or greater for fresh seed. Seeds maintain viability well for several years when stored in an airtight container with dessicant in a cool location or in the refrigerator.
Pre-Planting Treatments:	For best germination, it's recommended that the hard seedcoat of wiliwili be scarified. Mechanical scarification (nicking with a nail clippers) works very well; be sure not to damage the germ or the inner part of the seed. Soak the scarified seeds overnight in room temperature water. If any seeds do not imbibe water, they may be nicked and soaked again.
Growing Area Preparation/ Annual Practices for Perennial Crops:	If available, some cover (greenhouse or temporary cover) is ideal during germination to protect sprouts from hard rains. Seedlings should be moved to full sun two weeks after germination. Humidity and overwatering can lead to fungal diseases of wiliwili, so a hot and dry growing environment is ideal. Super stubby cells (Ray Leach system), Andersen Band Pots 2 3/8" by 5" inches deep, or root training 1 liter containers work well. A well-drained media is recommended such as 33% Sunshine peat moss, 33% perlite, 33% vermiculite, amended with a little compost, dolomite lime, gypsum, and slow-release fertilizer such as osmocote 14-14-14. Potting media should also be inoculated with VAM (mycorrhizal fungi), available from commercial suppliers and garden centers. Seedlings should be inoculated with rhizobia bacteria within two weeks of germination. VAM and rhizobial partnerships are essential for the successful establishment of this species, particularly on harsh sites.
Establishment Phase:	Scarified seeds will begin germinating in about 5 days. Pregerminated seeds (sown on paper towels or in beds) are transplanted into containers that have been pre-filled with media at a rate of one seed per cell. Cover with potting mix shallowly (about 1/4 inch or 0.6 cm deep), followed by a thin mulch layer such as #2 poultry grit. Water with a fine-headed sprayer to keep moist. Keep moist but not overwatered. Overwatering can easily lead to damping off with wiliwili seedlings. After about six weeks, seedlings may be double-spaced in the Ray Leach trays to ensure each seedling receives full sunlight, and to facilitate good stem development. After one to two weeks of growth, seedlings should be inoculated with rhizobia bacteria selected for this species (available from commercial suppliers or from nodules collected from healthy forest trees). Select strains are best for optimum nodulation and nitrogen fixation.
Length of Establishment Phase:	2-3 weeks
Active Growth Phase:	Seedlings grow rapidly. Overwatering can lead to fungal diseases on the leaves and to damping off. Grow in full sun. Watering first thing in the morning is best, so leaves spend most of the day dry and go into the night dry. Keep the seedlings we spaced to encourage good air circulation. Too much nitrogen fertilizer will repress the rhizobial association, and too much P will repress VAM activity. If any weeds enter the soil-free media, they should be removed.
Length of Active Growth Phase:	3 months
Hardening Phase:	Wiliwili should be grown in full sun without overwatering, which are conditions which prepare the plants for outplanting. Seedlings should never be allowed to dry out, but watering frequency may be reduced to introduce seedlings to temporary, moderate water stress.
Length of Hardening Phase:	2 weeks
Harvesting, Storage and Shipping:	When seedlings have reached target size, they may be delivered to the planting site. Delivering the trees in their container will help protect the root from damage. Containers may be stood up in cardboard boxes, or delivered in trays. Seedlings must be protected from wind and excessive heat during transport, but refrigeration is not recommended. Empty containers and trays may be returned after the planting is complete.
Length of Storage:	n/a
References:	Bornhorst, Heidi L. 1996. Growing native Hawaiian plants: a How-to Guide for the Gardener. The Bess Press, Honolulu. Powell, M.H. and P.L. Nakao. 1992. Erythrina sandwicensis - Unique Hawaiian NFT. Forest, Farm, and Community Tree Network (FACT Net), Winrock International, Morrilton, Arkansas. Web: http://www.winrock.org/forestry/factpub/FACTSH/E_sandwicensis.html Wagner, Warren L., Darrel R. Herbst, and S. H. Sohmer. 1990. Manual of the flowering plants of Hawai'i. 2 vols., Bishop Museum Special Publication 83. University of Hawaii Press and Bishop Museum Press. Honolulu. University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources. 2001. Hawaiian Native Plant Propagation Database. Honolulu, HI. Web: http://www2.hawaii.edu/~eherring/hawnprop/ery-sand.htm Vozzo, J.A. (Ed). 2002. Tropical Tree Seed Manual. USDA Agriculture Handbook 721.

Citation:

Elevitch, Craig R.; Wilkinson, Kim M.. 2003. Propagation protocol for production of Container (plug) Erythrina sandwicensis Degener plants Permanent Agriculture Resources Holualoa, Hawaii. In: Native Plant Network. URL: https://NativePlantNetwork.org (accessed 2024/07/03). US Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, National Center for Reforestation, Nurseries, and Genetic Resources.