Family: Fabaceae
Origin, Description & Uses:
Erythrina zeyheri, commonly known as plough breaker or harrow breaker, is a low-growing, herbaceous species native to southern Africa. Unlike many tree-form coral trees, this species grows as a spreading perennial with underground woody rootstock and seasonal above-ground stems. It produces striking coral-red, pea-like flowers that attract pollinators, followed by pods containing bright seeds. Its unusual growth habit and showy blooms make it an interesting ornamental for dry gardens, rockeries, or collectors of caudiciform and drought-tolerant plants. The plant is also adapted to fire-prone environments, resprouting from its underground base after disturbance.
Risks & Threats:
This species is considered low risk, as it has not shown invasive tendencies in Hawaii or elsewhere. Its growth form is relatively slow and localized, and it does not readily spread without cultivation. While it produces seeds, there is no evidence of aggressive naturalization or displacement of native vegetation. As with other members of the genus, seeds and plant parts may be toxic if ingested, so care should be taken around pets and children. Overall, Erythrina zeyheri is regarded as a safe choice for ornamental planting when managed responsibly.
High Risk Traits:
- Able to grow in tropical climates
- Other Erythrina species have become invasive
- Large prickles or thorns on leaf midrib and veins
- Contains alkaloids that have powerful narcotic and purgative effects
- Nitrogen fixing
- Geophyte
- Reproduces by seeds
- Able to reach maturity in two years of growth
- Seeds dispersed by water and intentionally by people
- Resprouts after fires
Low Risk Traits:
- No reports of invasiveness or naturalization
- Ornamental
- Not reported to spread vegetatively
- Seeds relatively large and unlikely to be accidentally dispersed
