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Definition: Erythrina variegata

Part of Speech Definition
Noun 1. Small to medium-sized thorny tree of tropical Asia and northern Australia having dense clusters of scarlet or crimson flowers and black seeds.[Wordnet].

Source: WordNet 3.0 Copyright © 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.

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Extended Definition: Erythrina variegata

Erythrina variegata

Tiger's Claw
Tree in Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
Tree in Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Subfamily: Faboideae
Tribe: Phaseoleae
Genus: Erythrina
Species: E. variegata
Binomial name
Erythrina variegata
L.

Erythrina variegata (syn. E. indica Lam., E. variegata var. orientalis (L.) Merr.; Tiger's Claw, Indian Coral Tree and Sunshine Tree) is a species of Erythrina native to the tropical and subtropical regions of eastern Africa, southern Asia, northern Australia, and the islands of the Indian Ocean and the western Pacific Ocean east to Fiji.[1]

It is known as the Roluos Tree in Cambodia, deigo on Okinawa, drala on Fiji, madar in Bangladesh, man da ra ba in Tibet and as thong lang in Thailand.

Flower in Kolkata, West Bengal, India.

It is a thorny deciduous tree growing to 27 m tall. The leaves are pinnate with a 20 cm petiole and three leaflets, each leaflet up to 20 cm long and broad. It has dense clusters of scarlet or crimson flowers and black seeds.[2]

It is valued as an ornamental tree. Several cultivars have been selected, including 'Alba' with white flowers.[2]

It was designated the official flower of Okinawa Prefecture in 1967. The deigo flower features in the popular song Shima Uta by The Boom, one of the most well-known songs associated with Okinawa. In addition, the use of the wood of the deigo tree is one of the unique characteristics of Ryukyuan lacquerware.

References

  1. Germplasm Resources Information Network: Erythrina variegata
  2. a b Huxley, A., ed. (1992). New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. Macmillan ISBN 0-333-47494-5.

Images

Leaves and young bark in Kolkata, West Bengal, India.

Trees in Kolkata, West Bengal, India.

Foliage and fruit in Kolkata, West Bengal, India.

Flowers of cultivar 'Alba' in Kolkata, West Bengal, India.

Flowers of cultivar 'Alba'

Bark in Kolkata, West Bengal, India.

Bark & leaves in Kolkata, West Bengal, India.

Beans

Source: adapted by the editor from Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia; from the article "Erythrina variegata". Image Credit.
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