Description of Erythrina fusca Lour.
Erythrina fusca Lour. is a species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae, which is also known as the Coral Tree or Bintaro in Indonesia. It is native to regions in South and Southeast Asia, specifically Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Common Names
The Coral Tree has many common names based on their geographic region, some of which include:
- Bintaro (Indonesia)
- Balite (Philippines)
- Tamalan (Thailand)
- Van sam (Vietnam)
Uses
The Coral Tree has both medicinal and ornamental uses. Its bark, leaves, and roots have been traditionally used in Asia to treat various ailments such as fevers, inflammation, skin problems, respiratory illnesses, and gastrointestinal issues. The tree also has ornamental value, often grown as a shade tree or as an accent tree in gardens or parks.
General Appearance
Erythrina fusca Lour. is a deciduous tree that can grow up to 25 meters tall with a trunk diameter of up to 100 centimeters. Its bark is rough, gray-brown, and deeply grooved. Its leaves are large, oval-shaped, and have pointed tips. The tree produces bright red flowers that bloom in clusters, resembling a coral reef. The fruit of the Coral Tree is a pod with a woody shell that contains seeds.
Light Requirements
Erythrina fusca Lour. typically requires full sun to thrive, though it can tolerate some partial shade. As a tropical plant, it is adapted to high levels of sunlight and requires at least 6 hours of direct sun each day.
Temperature Requirements
Erythrina fusca Lour. prefers warm temperatures throughout the year, ranging from 20-30°C (68-86°F). It can tolerate slightly cooler temperatures, but growth may be slower, and the plant may become more susceptible to disease. Frost and freezing temperatures should be avoided, as they can be fatal to the plant.
Soil Requirements
Erythrina fusca Lour. thrives in well-drained soils with good fertility. The soil should be rich in organic matter, with a pH range of 5.5-7.5. The plant can tolerate a range of soils, including sandy and clay soils, but it prefers loamy soils with good drainage. Regular fertilization can help maintain soil fertility and support healthy growth.
Cultivation Methods
Erythrina fusca Lour. plants thrive in well-drained soil and full sunlight, making them ideal for planting in open spaces. They are best grown from seeds, which should be sown in a nursery bed before being transplanted to their permanent location after 4-6 months. The seedlings must be protected from direct sunlight and high winds until they grow to a height of 20cm, and they should be planted in holes dug 30cm deep and 40cm wide, spaced 2-3m apart from each other.
Watering Needs
Erythrina fusca Lour. plants require moderate watering levels, with the soil remaining moist but not waterlogged. Newly planted trees must be watered frequently, but established trees require watering only during dry spells or droughts. The amount of water they require will vary between regions and soil types, but they typically require 3-5cm of water each week.
Fertilization
Erythrina fusca Lour. plants grow best when supplied with sufficient nutrients through fertilization. Use balanced fertilizers with a nitrogen-phosphorous-potassium ratio of 2-1-1 to promote vegetative growth, but switch to a 1-2-2 ratio during the flowering season to promote blooming. Apply fertilizers three times each year, once during the beginning of the growing season, once during the flowering season, and once during the fruiting season, spreading the fertilizer along the drip line of the tree.
Pruning
Pruning of Erythrina fusca Lour. plants should be done at the beginning of the growing season, ideally before blooming, to promote bushier growth and remove dead or diseased wood. Formative pruning should aim to produce a tree with a central leader, while thinning out overly dense branches. The canopy should be raised to promote air circulation and light penetration, with the lower branches being removed. Any suckers at the base of the tree should be removed entirely, as should any branches that grow parallel to the main trunk, as they can lead to bark damage and scarring.
Propagation of Erythrina fusca Lour.
Erythrina fusca Lour. can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings, and by air layering.
Propagation by Seeds
The seeds of Erythrina fusca Lour. are collected from the fruit pods once they are mature and have dried up. The seeds should be treated with a fungicide before sowing to prevent fungal attacks. The seeds are sown directly into the soil or in polybags filled with potting mix. The seeds take about 3-4 weeks to germinate. Once the seedlings have grown to a height of 15-20 cm, they can be transplanted into the field.
Propagation by Stem Cuttings
Erythrina fusca Lour. can be propagated through stem cuttings taken from mature trees. The stem cuttings should be taken from the previous year's growth and should be about 25-30 cm in length. The leaves on the lower half of the stem should be removed, and the cutting should be dipped in rooting hormone before planting it in the soil. The cuttings can be planted directly into the soil or in polybags filled with potting mix. It takes about 4-6 months for the cuttings to develop roots. Once roots have formed, the cuttings can be transplanted into the field.
Propagation by Air Layering
Erythrina fusca Lour. can also be propagated by air layering. This method is preferred for trees that are difficult to propagate by other methods. In air layering, a branch of the tree is selected, and a 2-3 cm wide band of bark is removed from the branch. The exposed area is covered with a rooting hormone and moist sphagnum moss is wrapped around it. The moss is then covered with plastic wrap, and tied securely at both ends. After about 4-6 weeks, roots will start to develop from the exposed area. The branch can then be cut off from the parent tree and planted directly into the soil or in polybags filled with potting mix.
Disease Management for Erythrina fusca Lour.
Erythrina fusca Lour., also known as the Coral Tree or Moreton Bay Chestnut, is generally resistant to most diseases and pests. However, there are a few diseases that can cause significant damage if not controlled or treated promptly.
One of the most common diseases that affect Erythrina fusca is anthracnose. It is a fungal disease that causes dark, sunken lesions on leaves and stems. Infected leaves may yellow and drop prematurely. Anthracnose can be managed by avoiding overhead irrigation, removing infected plant debris, and applying a fungicide registered for use on Erythrina fusca.
Another disease that can affect Erythrina fusca is powdery mildew. It is a fungal disease that causes a white, powdery coating to appear on leaves, stems, and flowers. Infected parts of the plant may become distorted or stunted. Powdery mildew can be managed by improving air circulation, reducing humidity, pruning to increase light penetration, and applying a fungicide registered for use on Erythrina fusca.
Pest Management for Erythrina fusca Lour.
Erythrina fusca Lour. is not usually prone to pest infestations, but there are some pests that can cause significant damage:
The Erythrina borer, a type of beetle, is a common pest that can damage the trunk and branches of Erythrina fusca. Infested trees may show signs of wilting, dieback, and sap oozing from the trunk and branches. Erythrina borers can be managed by removing and destroying infested branches, spraying the tree with an insecticide registered for use on Erythrina fusca, and providing proper irrigation and fertilization to maintain the health and vigor of the tree.
The Bagworm is another potential threat to Erythrina fusca. These pests are caterpillars that construct bag-like structures around themselves using pieces of plant material. They eat the leaves of the plants, causing defoliation. Bagworms can be managed by physically removing them by hand and destroying the bags, or spraying the tree with an insecticide registered for use on Erythrina fusca.
Regular monitoring and good cultivation practices such as proper irrigation, fertilization, and pruning can help prevent pest infestations and reduce the likelihood of disease outbreaks. If pest or disease problems do arise, it is important to take prompt action to prevent further damage to the plant.
