Cockspur Coral Tree - Erythrina Crista-galli

I recently found a large Cockspur Coral tree (Erythrina crista-galli) in the entrance of the Selwo Marina Park in Benalmadena Spain (below). It is the largest of this tree species that I have seen along the Costa del Sol with a trunk that is about 50 cm across.
Two other trees that are related to this tree and that are also found in the south of Spain are the Common Coral tree and the Coastal Coral tree.
Erythrina crista-galli flower The Cockspur Coral tree is native South America and is the national tree and flower of Argentina where it is refered to as the Ceibo or Cresta de Gallo.

Cockspur Coral Tree I took these pictures of a Erythrina crista-galli that I discovered at a small park near my home. I had seen the tree earlier but had not recognized it as a Cockspur Coral tree until I saw its flowers. It is not hard to see why this tree is highly valued as an ornamental tree throughout the world.

12 comments:

  1. Here in orlando florida there is a fairly large specimen at Leu Gardens. Supposedly it's deciduous but lost its leaves this winter

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  2. *it has not lost its leaves

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  3. I don't know about the tree you are mentioning but the one near my home does loose it's leaves in the winter.

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  4. Absolutely stunning pictures! You are an artist. Are you also a gardener?

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  5. I love this tree!
    I live in Longwood, Florida USA and I have a tree in my house.I brought the seeds from Uruguay, where I was born,it is the official tree there.

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  6. We have just purchased a house in Castlemaine, Victoria, Australia.
    It has one of these magnificent trees in the front yard. i'm told this tree is over 100 years old.
    It took me sometime to find out what it was. I can't wait till summer for the colourful show.

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  7. where can I buy this tree or its seed in California?

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  8. I just returned from Kauai and I too was looking for seeds. I was given some seeds from a nursery. I'm sorry that I did not get the name of the business.
    -D

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  9. you can get seeds from smartseeds in ebay
    :-)

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  10. October 2009 - There's a magnificent specimen in full bloom in Petrie Park, Nambour, Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia. Ardleigh C.

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  11. I've got one in my backyard and it's probably 100 years old. It is my place of worship. SD Sydney Australia

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