Erythrina lysistemon, also known as the lucky bean or coral tree, is adored for its scarlet flowers and heart-shaped leaflets. This medium-sized tree is deciduous, which means it sheds its leaves every year.
The lucky bean tree is an easy grower and has medium to low water consumption. It is, however, best to water it in summer, and fewer times in winter. This tree thrives in frost-free gardens because it’s sensitive to the cold, and needs to be planted in well-drained and loamy soil. It will nevertheless thrive in either wet or dry winters.
The tree starts blooming from July to October, which is when you’ll be able to witness its magnificent flowers. When dried, the light-grey bark can be used to make canoes, rafts and fishing net floats, making it a significantly versatile tree.
According to Life Green Group, lucky bean trees produce nectar-filled flowers and are known to attract birds and honey bees. When planted in the wild, they also tend to attract other animals such as kudu, black rhinos and baboons, which vie for the leaves of the tree.
Apart from being indigenous to South Africa, the lucky bean tree has deep roots in isiZulu culture, as it was used to landscape kraals, villages and homesteads. It was also regarded as a royal tree and planted on the graves of isiZulu chiefs.
The tree is also famed for its black seed pods, which burst while still attached to the tree and scatter red-orange seeds. The seeds are used as lucky charms in various African cultures, which is the reason for the tree’s name.