3870.000 Erythrina L. - Lucky-bean trees

Deciduous trees or shrubs (in ours); bark usually corky and often armed with prickles borne on woody bosses. Leaves pinnately 3-foliolate, often prickly. Inflorescences usually terminal, bearing flowers in fascicles. Flowers large, and showy, scarlet or crimson (less often orange) with the standard larger than the other petals. Pod constricted between the seeds, dehiscent. Seeds red or orange, often bicoloured; hilum black or white.

Derivation of name: Greek meaning 'possessing red'

Worldwide: c.110 species occurring in warm areas of the world

Malawi: 3 taxa.