Family: Fabaceae

Origin, Description & Uses
Erythrina poeppigiana, commonly known as coral tree, is native to tropical regions of Central and South America. It is a fast-growing, deciduous tree recognized for its striking display of bright orange to red flowers that attract birds and pollinators. The tree typically has a broad canopy and spiny trunk and branches. It is widely planted in tropical regions as an ornamental, shade tree, and living fence, and is also valued in agroforestry systems for its ability to fix nitrogen, improve soil fertility, and provide shade for crops such as coffee and cacao.

Risks & Threats
Coral tree is naturalized on Oʻahu and possesses traits that raise concern for Hawaiʻi’s ecosystems. Its rapid growth, ability to reproduce from seeds and cuttings, and tolerance of a wide range of conditions allow it to spread beyond cultivation. These characteristics can enable it to outcompete native vegetation, alter soil conditions, and disrupt habitat structure. Because it is already naturalized and has the potential to expand further, it could detrimentally impact tropical island ecosystems. For these reasons, it is recommended to choose a low-risk or native alternative for landscaping and agroforestry in Hawaiʻi.

High Risk Traits:

• Naturalized elsewhere: Central America, Florida, Hawaii.
  
• Environmental versatility: Grows across wide elevation (150-2400 m) and rainfall range.
  
• Congeneric weed: Other Erythrina species are invasive.
  
• Has spines/thorns: Trunk and bark are spiny.
  
• Shade tolerant: Can establish in forest understory.
  
• Wide soil tolerance: Grows in infertile, heavy, acid soils.
  
• Nitrogen-fixing: Competitive advantage in poor soils.
  
• Self-compatible: Can produce seed without cross-pollination.
  
• Persistent seed bank: Seeds viable in soil >1 year.
  
• Wind & water dispersed: Pods aid wind dispersal; seeds float.
  
• Tolerates mutilation: Resprouts; vegetative spread possible.
  
• Potential environmental weed: May replace native Erythrina in forests.
  
• Toxic: Alkaloids in seeds, bark, roots; used as fish poison.

Low Risk Traits:

• Not an agricultural weed: Valued as shade or fodder in farms.
  
• Palatable to ruminants: Safe for cattle/goats; improves milk yield.
  
• No fire hazard: Fire-resistant.
  
• Not allelopathic: Compatible in intercropping.
  
• Large seeds (1-2 cm): Not adapted for epizoochory.
  
• Not a produce contaminant: Seeds too large for accidental spread.