Family: Fabaceae

Origin, Description & Uses
Erythrina abyssinica, commonly known as the coral tree, is native to eastern and central Africa. It is a striking deciduous tree known for its bright red to orange, tubular flowers that attract birds and other pollinators. Typically growing to a moderate height, it has a spreading canopy, thorny branches, and compound leaves that provide light shade. In its native range, it is widely used in agroforestry systems as a shade tree for crops such as coffee, as well as for soil improvement due to its nitrogen-fixing ability. It also has cultural and medicinal significance, with various parts of the tree traditionally used in herbal remedies.

Risks & Threats
In Hawai‘i and similar tropical environments, Erythrina abyssinica is considered a low-risk species. It is not known to be naturalized and has not demonstrated aggressive spread or invasive behavior. While it produces seeds, there is little evidence that it readily establishes outside of cultivation or forms dense stands that would displace native vegetation. As with any introduced species, continued observation is recommended, but current information suggests minimal ecological risk. This species can be a suitable choice for landscaping or agroforestry when managed responsibly and planted in appropriate settings.

High Risk Traits:

• Broad climate suitability – Altitude range >1000m, tolerating varied temperatures and rainfall
  
• Congeneric weed – Other Erythrina species are documented environmental weeds in Australia
  
• Spines or thorns – All parts except older leaves and trunk are covered with small, curved thorns
  
• Wide soil tolerance – Grows in light to heavy soils, various drainage conditions, and infertile or shallow soils
  
• Nitrogen-fixing – Can alter soil conditions and facilitate own growth
  
• Self-compatible – Can produce viable seed without cross-pollination
  
• Vegetative reproduction – Grows readily from stakes, cuttings, and truncheons
  
• Intentional dispersal – Widely planted as ornamental, shade tree, and living fence
  
• Bird-dispersed seeds – Bright seeds attract birds; survive gut passage
  
• Persistent seed bank – Orthodox seed storage; seeds remain viable for >1 year
  
• Resprouts after damage – Tolerates coppicing, pollarding, and cutting

Low Risk Traits:

• No confirmed naturalization – Only reported naturalization falls within native range
  
• Not a weed – No evidence as agricultural, forestry, or environmental weed
  
• Palatable to livestock – Leaves used as forage supplement for sheep and goats
  
• Not toxic to animals – Seeds poisonous but foliage palatable; no poisoning reports
  
• No allelopathy – Leaves degrade rapidly, releasing nitrogen
  
• Not shade tolerant – Requires full sun
  
• Slow growth, late maturity – Reaches reproductive age after 4+ years
  
• Large seeds – Unlikely to be accidental contaminants or attach to vectors
  
• Not wind-dispersed – Lacks adaptations for wind dispersal
  
• Effective seed predator present – Bruchid beetle (Specularius impressithorax) established in Hawaii attacks seeds