Erythrina poeppigiana (Walpers) O.F.Cook, Fabaceae

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Present on Pacific Islands?  yes

Primarily a threat at high elevations?  no

Risk assessment results:  High risk, score: 12 (Go to the risk assessment)

Other Latin names:  Erythrina micropteryx Poepp.; Micropteryx poeppigiana Walp.

Common name(s): [more details]

English: coraltree, immortelle tree, mountain immortelle

Spanish: amasisa, anauca, bucaro, ceibo, poró extranjero, poró gigante, saibo

Habit:  tree

Description:  "This fast-growing tree...is characterized by compound leaves composed of 3 leaflets (7-25 cm in length)  with cup-shaped stipules at the base of the 2 smaller leaflets.  Racemes (10-20 cm in length) are held nearly horizontally.  The trees are at least partially deciduous in Hawaii, with displays of orange flowers developing in the winter.  The saplings have thorny trunks, becoming more or less smooth with age.  The 1.5 cm long, bean-type seeds are probably dispersed by wind, as the seed pod is light and papery"  (Daehler & Baker, 2006; pp. 7-8).

Habitat/ecology:  In Hawai‘i (O‘ahu), spreading from planted trees in Lyon Arboretum.  "Seedlings and saplings were commonly seen within 100 m of planted specimens; however, spontaneous plants of all life stages, including flowering and fruiting individuals, are scattered throughout the Arboretum.  A second generation of seedlings and saplings was noted around the larger spontaneous individuals.  A naturalized flowering specimen was also observed in secondary forest on neighboring property"  (Daehler & Baker, 2006; pp. 7-8).

Propagation:  Seed

Native range:  Tropical America (Daehler & Baker, 2006; p. 7).

Presence:

Pacific
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) Isabela Group	Volcán Sierra Negra, Isabela Island	introduced cultivated	Charles Darwin Foundation (2008)
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) San Cristóbal Group	San Cristóbal Island	introduced cultivated	Charles Darwin Foundation (2008)
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) Santa Cruz Group	Santa Cruz Island	introduced cultivated	Charles Darwin Foundation (2008)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	O‘ahu Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Daehler, Curtis C./Baker, Raymond F. (2006) (pp. 7-8) Vouchers cited: C. Daehler 1212 (BISH), K. Nagata 808 (HLA)

Pacific Rim
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Central America Central America (Pacific rim)	Costa Rica (Republic of)	introduced	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2013)
Central America Central America (Pacific rim)	El Salvador (Republic of)	introduced	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2013)
Central America Central America (Pacific rim)	Guatemala (Republic of)	introduced	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2013)
Central America Central America (Pacific rim)	Nicaragua (Republic of)	introduced	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2013)
Central America Central America (Pacific rim)	Panama (Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013) Darien
Indonesia Indonesia	Indonesia (Republic of)	introduced	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2013)
Malaysia Malaysia	Malaysia (country of)	introduced	ILDIS Co-ordinating Centre (2013)
South America (Pacific rim) South America (Pacific rim)	Colombia	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
South America (Pacific rim) South America (Pacific rim)	Ecuador (Republic of) (continental)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)
South America (Pacific rim) South America (Pacific rim)	Perú (Republic of)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2013)

Control:  If you know of control methods for Erythrina poeppigiana, please let us know.