Erythrina caffra, Thunb. Fl. Cap. p. 559; Fl. Cap. vol. ii. p. 236; Wood, Natal Plants, pl. 542.
This species is a common tree in the eastern parts of the Cape Province and also in the coastal and midland districts of Natal. The plant is known as the “Kaffir Boom,” and to children in Natal as “Cookie Doodles.” The Zulu name for the tree is “Umsini.”
The wood is very soft, and the only use to which it is put is for fencing poles, as it easily takes root and is free from the attack of termites. The scarlet seeds are strung as necklaces.
In various parts of the country the tree may be seen in cultivation, and when in full bloom the bright scarlet flowers make it extremely ornamental. The tree is deciduous and the flowers appear in spring while the plant is still leafless, but occasionally leaves and flowers may be produced at the same time.
Our plate was prepared from material collected by Miss K. A. Lansdell on the Berea, Durban, Natal. Specimens are preserved in the National Herbarium, Pretoria (Herb. No. 1456).
Description:—A tree 6-17 m. high. Branches pale-coloured, rugose, prickly, the prickles dark-coloured, up to 7 mm. or more long, broad at the base, usually a little curved, very sharp. Leaves clustered near the ends of the twigs, trifoliolate: common petiole up to 21 cm. long, unarmed; terminal leaflet 6·5-9 cm. long, 9-11·5 cm. broad, ovate or sometimes sub 3-lobed, usually acuminate, more or less cuneate at the base, glabrous with two small glands at the base of the petiolule; lateral leaflets 6·5-9 cm. long, 6·5-9 cm. broad, similar in shape to the terminal leaflet, usually acuminate, glabrous. Inflorescence a many-flowered dense raceme, 4·6 cm. long; flowers pendulous: peduncle dark brown, 7·5-15 cm. long, terete, velvety. Calyx up to 1 cm. long, more or less tubular campanulate, 2-lipped, velvety-brown outside. Vexillum up to 5 cm. long, 2·5 cm. broad when expanded, conduplicate, falcate; alae yellow-green, 4-8 mm. long, oblong, curved; carina equalling the alae. Stamens 10, exserted; the vexillary filament free to the base. Ovary stalked, villous; stigma simple. Legume few-seeded, constricted between the seeds. Seeds scarlet, with a black hilum.
Plate 59.—Fig. 1, vexillum; Fig. 2, carina; Fig. 3, wing; Fig. 4, calyx; Fig. 5, stamens; Fig. 6, gynaecium; Fig. 7, fruit, showing one seed.
F.P.S.A., 1922.