Cockspur Coral Tree
Erythrina Crista-Galli Identification
Angiosperm or Gymnosperm: Angiosperm Natural Habitat: The Cockspur Coral Tree is native to Argentina and other parts of South America such as Uruguay, Brazil and Paraguay. It is the national tree of Argentina and its flower is the national flower of Argentina and Uruguay. Leaf Pattern: Cockspur Coral Trees have trifoliate leaves that are usually dark green. They change to a gold color in the fall and are deciduous. Type of Seeds: All the trees with the genus Erythrina have legume type fruit that contain the seeds of the tree. The Cockspur Coral Tree has bright red flowers that cover the fruit. The flowers bloom during the Spring and are present during the Summer and Fall. Germination Process: Insects will crawl from flower to flower and since the flowers of the Cockspur Coral Tree have both male and female parts, the flowers are pollinated. This type of tree has a hypogeal germination process which means the germination takes place underground. Plants that have a hypogeal germination process generally need more nutrients. The seed soaks up enough moisture to produce a root and eventually find its own water. It then produces a shoot which allows it to absorb light from above ground. Symbiotic Relationships: As mentioned earlier, insects will gladly move from various flowers in this tree. This tree lives in harmony with nitrogen-fixing bacteria who facilitate the tree's absorption of nitrogen in return for nutrients that the bacteria need. Cockspur Coral Trees are very susceptible to pests such as Aphids. The leaves of this type of tree are used as food for certain larvae. Birds often visit this tree as well, especially hummingbirds because hummingbirds are generally more attracted to red flowers. Type of Bark: Cockspur Coral Trees have a red-brown colored bark. Its bark is furrowed which means it is covered with deep lines. Ethnobotony
Humans use this type of tree for its brightly colored and beautiful flowers. The Cockspur Coral Tree is often planted in parks and urban settings to spice up the scenery. This tree is useful because it is not only beautiful, but it is also the hardiest of coral trees. There is one health hazard with these trees however. The seeds of the Cockspur Coral Tree have been found to be poisonous. Current Research
The Cockspur Coral Tree has been in recent news regarding a new wasp that has been found to attack trees of the genus Erythrina. This new threat could possibly cause the extinction of certain coral trees in Asia, Australia and Hawaii. There has also been new studies that show the chemical properties of the Cockspur Coral Tree are very special. Summary of Information
The Cockspur Coral Tree is also known as Ceibo in South America, where it originated. There is a specific legend that follows this tree. There used to be a tribe that lived on the edge of the Parana River called the Guarani people. A woman named Anahi was the ugliest woman in the tribe, but she was the bravest. Anahi also had one of the most beautiful singing voices ever heard. The Spaniards came to conquer the land and killed her father, the chief, on the way. Anahi was put in charge of the clan but was taken captive. Using her natural skills and bravery, she was able to kill her guard and escape. She ran away to hide in the trees but was caught again by the Spaniards. Since she killed a soldier, she was sentenced to burn alive. Her feet were bound to a tree and she was set on fire. When the flames slowly started to envelop her, she started to sing. The soldiers started to walk away from the burning girl but before they did, they saw her body take on a new form. It had taken on the form of the tree and the flames that enveloped her turned into bright red flowers. |
References
Bor, K. (n.d.). Katti Borré. Katti Borr. Retrieved October 28, 2013, from http://katti.me/2010/11/30/ceibo-the-national-tree/
Cresta de Gallo/Cockspur Coral tree/Erythrina crista-galli | Zoom's Edible Plants. (n.d.). Zooms Edible Plants. Retrieved October 23, 2013, from http://zoom50.wordpress.com/2012/01/09/cresta-de-gallocockspur-coral-treeerythrina-crista-galli/
De Boeck, H., Macgregor Jr., R. B., Clegg, R. m., Sharon, N., & Loontiens, F. G. (1985). Binding of <em>N</ em>-dansylgalactosamine to the lectin from <em>Erythrina cristagalli</em>. European Journal Of Biochemistry, 149(1), 141-145.
Erythrina. (2013, October 20). Wikipedia. Retrieved October 23, 2013, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erythrina
Erythrina crista-galli. (2013, October 21). Wikipedia. Retrieved October 23, 2013, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erythrina_crista-galli
Erythrina crista-galli, Cockspur Coral Tree. (n.d.). Cockspur Coral Tree. Retrieved October 23, 2013, from http://hort.ufl.edu/woody/Pages/erycri/erycri.shtml
Iglesias, J. L., Lis, H., & Sharon, N. (1982). Purification and Properties of a D-Galactose//V-Acetyl-D-
galactosamine-Specific Lectin from Erythrina cristagalli. European Journal Of Biochemistry, 123(2), 247-252.
NAVIGATION. (n.d.). UFEI. Retrieved October 23, 2013, from http://selectree.calpoly.edu/treedetail.lasso?rid=517
Rubinoff, D., Holland, B. S., Shibata, A., Messing, R. H., & Wright, M. G. (2010). Rapid Invasion Despite Lack of
Genetic Variation in the Erythrina Gall Wasp (Quadrastichus erythrinae Kim). Pacific Science, 64(1), 23-31. doi:10.2984/64.1.023
San Marcos Growers >Erythrina. (n.d.). San Marcos Growers >Erythrina. Retrieved October 23, 2013, from http://www.smgrowers.com/info/erythrina.asp
The World´s Tree Species: The Legend of the Ceibo (Cockspur Coral tree). (n.d.). The World´s Tree Species: The Legend of the Ceibo (Cockspur Coral tree). Retrieved October 28, 2013, from http://tree-species.blogspot.com/2007/12/legend-of-ceibo-cockspur-coral-tree.html
Types of germination. (n.d.). Types of germination. Retrieved October 23, 2013, from http://theseedsite.co.uk/germinating.html
Bor, K. (n.d.). Katti Borré. Katti Borr. Retrieved October 28, 2013, from http://katti.me/2010/11/30/ceibo-the-national-tree/
Cresta de Gallo/Cockspur Coral tree/Erythrina crista-galli | Zoom's Edible Plants. (n.d.). Zooms Edible Plants. Retrieved October 23, 2013, from http://zoom50.wordpress.com/2012/01/09/cresta-de-gallocockspur-coral-treeerythrina-crista-galli/
De Boeck, H., Macgregor Jr., R. B., Clegg, R. m., Sharon, N., & Loontiens, F. G. (1985). Binding of <em>N</ em>-dansylgalactosamine to the lectin from <em>Erythrina cristagalli</em>. European Journal Of Biochemistry, 149(1), 141-145.
Erythrina. (2013, October 20). Wikipedia. Retrieved October 23, 2013, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erythrina
Erythrina crista-galli. (2013, October 21). Wikipedia. Retrieved October 23, 2013, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erythrina_crista-galli
Erythrina crista-galli, Cockspur Coral Tree. (n.d.). Cockspur Coral Tree. Retrieved October 23, 2013, from http://hort.ufl.edu/woody/Pages/erycri/erycri.shtml
Iglesias, J. L., Lis, H., & Sharon, N. (1982). Purification and Properties of a D-Galactose//V-Acetyl-D-
galactosamine-Specific Lectin from Erythrina cristagalli. European Journal Of Biochemistry, 123(2), 247-252.
NAVIGATION. (n.d.). UFEI. Retrieved October 23, 2013, from http://selectree.calpoly.edu/treedetail.lasso?rid=517
Rubinoff, D., Holland, B. S., Shibata, A., Messing, R. H., & Wright, M. G. (2010). Rapid Invasion Despite Lack of
Genetic Variation in the Erythrina Gall Wasp (Quadrastichus erythrinae Kim). Pacific Science, 64(1), 23-31. doi:10.2984/64.1.023
San Marcos Growers >Erythrina. (n.d.). San Marcos Growers >Erythrina. Retrieved October 23, 2013, from http://www.smgrowers.com/info/erythrina.asp
The World´s Tree Species: The Legend of the Ceibo (Cockspur Coral tree). (n.d.). The World´s Tree Species: The Legend of the Ceibo (Cockspur Coral tree). Retrieved October 28, 2013, from http://tree-species.blogspot.com/2007/12/legend-of-ceibo-cockspur-coral-tree.html
Types of germination. (n.d.). Types of germination. Retrieved October 23, 2013, from http://theseedsite.co.uk/germinating.html