Erythrina (variegata)

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 variegata (L.) Merr.
Common Name:	tropical coral, Indian coral tree, India coralbean, coral tree, tiger's claw, dadap, wiliwili; drala dina (Fiji); ngatae; gatae (Tonga, Samoa); 'atae (Cooks; Societies); natae (Marquesas); wiliwili-haole (Hawaii)
Ecotype:	humid and semiarid tropics and subtropics, 0 to 1500 m elevation
General Distribution:	Native to India and Malaysia, widely distributed in coastal areas of Southeast Asia, northern Australia, possibly an aboriginal introduction to areas of Melanesia, Polynesia, and Micronesia. Also introduced to the New World, in use as an ornamental in Florida and other areas of tropical America.
Known Invasiveness:	This species is widely introduced throughout other tropical regions of the world where it may be invasive in some areas and invasiveness outside its naturally occurring range is unknown.
Propagation Goal:	plants
Propagation Method:	seed
ProductType:	Container (plug)
Time To Grow:	0
Target Specifications:	Height: 25 cm, stem diameter: 10 mm
Propagule Collection:	In Hawaii, flowers in January and February; sets seed in February-April. Timing may vary in other regions, depending on local weather patterns. The fruits are pods about 15-30 cm long. 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 from the ground.
Propagule Processing:	Seeds are easily cleaned by hand from dried pods. Germination is commonly 90% or greater for fresh seed. Seeds maintain viability 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. Hot water scarification is an alternative to mechanical scarification, and is appropriate for large seed lots. Seeds are soaked in hot water (80 degrees C) for 10 minutes, then overnight in cool water.
Growing Area Preparation/ Annual Practices for Perennial Crops:	Seedlings can be grown in full sun in an uncovered growing area. Humidity and overwatering can lead to fungal diseases, so a hot and dry growing environment is ideal. Ray Leach Super "Stubby" cells (14 cm deep, 3.8 cm diameter, available from Stuewe & Sons) are used. 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 will facilitate the successful establishment of this species, particularly on harsh sites.
Establishment Phase:	Scarified seeds will begin germinating in 5-10 days. Pregerminated seeds (sown on paper towels) are transplanted once roots emerge into containers that have been pre-filled with media at a rate of one seed per cell. Scarified seeds may also be direct-seeded if germination is known to be high. Cover seed 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. Keep moist but not overwatered. Overwatering can easily lead to damping off. After one to two weeks of growth, seedlings should be inoculated with rhizobia bacteria selected for this species (available from nodules collected from healthy trees).
Length of Establishment Phase:	2 -3 weeks
Active Growth Phase:	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. If inoculation with VAM and rhizobia was successful, no additional fertilizer will be necessary. If inoculation was unsuccessful, a light top dressing of Gro-More 8-8-8 may be added as needed. If any weeds enter the soil-free media, they should be removed.
Length of Active Growth Phase:	10 -12 weeks
Hardening Phase:	Erythrina variegata should be grown in full sun without overwatering, 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.
Other Comments:	Erythrinas in general were once considered "junk" trees by foresters. However, the many multiple uses and products of these species are now widely recognized. Erythrina variegata is valued for its use as livestock fodder, windbreak, live fence, shade for coffee, cacao, and other crops, organic matter production, ornamental value, and uses in traditional handicrafts and medicines.
References:	Hegde, N.G. 1994. Erythrina variegata. NFT Highlights. NFTA, Paia, HI. Little, Elbert L. and Roger G. Skolmen. 1989. Common Forest Trees of Hawai`i (Native and Introduced). United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service, Agriculture Handbook 679. Neal, M.C. 1965. In Gardens of Hawaii. Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum, Honolulu. Westley, S.B. and M. Powell, eds. 1993. Erythrina in the New and Old Worlds. Nitrogen Fixing Tree Research Reports, NFTA, Paia, HI.

Citation:

Elevitch, Craig R.; Wilkinson, Kim M.. 2004. Propagation protocol for production of Container (plug) Erythrina variegata (L.) Merr. 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.