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Definition: Erythrina vespertilio

Part of Speech Definition
Noun 1. Prickly Australian coral tree having soft spongy wood.[Wordnet].

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

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Extended Definition: Erythrina vespertilio


Erythrina vespertilio

Erythrina vespertilio

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Subfamily: Faboideae
Tribe: Phaseoleae
Genus: Erythrina
Species: E. verspertilio
Binomial name
Erythrina vespertilio
Benth.

Erythrina vespertilio is a tree native to north and north-east Australia. Its common names are the Bean Tree, the Grey Corkwood and the Bat's Wing Coral Tree.

It was widely traditionally used by Aboriginal Australians in Central Australia for making woomeras and coolamons. The Warlpiri, among others, would use the wood to make shields, used either for warfare or ceremonially. These shields could then be used for making fire with the friction method.

The bark is also considered to have medicinal uses, and the seeds are used to make decorations.

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