Erythrina crista-galli from Donna in SC

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This plant grows as a large shrub over six feet tall. It has red flowers and long thin thorns

 

Hi Donna,

this appears to be Erythrina crista-galli, the cockspur coral tree, native to South America.  The only other one that I know that looks like this is Erythrina fusca – but I don’t think that is cultivated in the USA.

 

It is attractive to hummingbirds, which pollinate it.

Sincerely,

 

Steven Hill, Ph.D., botanist, SCNPS

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