Cockspur Coral Tree

There is a reason that this is one of the most popular ornamental trees in the Americas, Erythrina crista-galli is a stunningly beautiful flowering tree native to Argentina, Uruguay, southern Brazil and Paraguay. This species characteristically grows wild in gallery forest ecosystems along watercourses, as well as in swamps and wetlands. Erythrina crista-galli grows to a modest size of 12’ to 18’ tall by as wide and is completely covered with deep, dark, rich red blossoms after it has lost its leaves for the season; The effect is mind-blowing! This deciduous tree is the national tree of Argentina, and its flower is the national flower of Uruguay and Argentina. It belongs in the Fabaceae family and needs overhead protection from frost. It is hardy down to 20’s.