Erythrina vespertilio
(Bat’s wing coral tree)
|
FAMILY |
Fabaceae |
|
Species |
Erythrina vespertilio |
|
Common name |
Bat’s wing coral tree |
|
Flower colour; life form |
Red; tree |
|
Campus |
Townsville |
Description
This monsoon deciduous tree is often found growing in vine thickets. The common name comes from the shape of the leaflet. Each leaf has 3 leaflets that thought to resemble a bat with outstretched wings. There are conical spines on the trunk and the bark is corky. The large, pea-shaped flowers are red and are followed by brown woody pods, the seeds are toxic. Flowers are bird-pollinated.