Environmental Weeds in Sydney North

• Noxious Weeds
• Other Significant Environmental Weeds
• Weed Alerts

Weed control

• Hand removal techniques
• Biocontrol

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Cocks Comb Coral Tree

Botanical Name: Erythrina crista-galli
Family: FABACEAE Noxious Weed Category: W4c


Photo: Ku-ring-gai Council

 

Description:
 A hardy, quick growing small tree from Brazil reaching 5m in height in temperate climates. It prefers moist soil in areas such as wetlands and rainforest edges.

Compound trifoliate leaves with prickles on stems.

Pronounced long shoots of scarlett red "bird attracting" pea flowers in spring and summer.

Dispersal:
Spreads by seed and suckering. Branches should not be left on the ground as they can re-grow into new plants.

Impact on Bushland:
Invades natural areas such as hind-dunes, rainforests, wetlands and saltmarshes. In gullies it spreads vigorously and replaces native canopy trees.

Control:

Manual:

Do not leave branches on the ground, as they can re-establish into new plants.
  Small specimens can be cut and painted, applying an undiluted Glyphosate-based product.
  Large trees can be frilled, applying an undiluted Glyphosate-based product
Chemical: Please contact your local control authority for advice on chemical control.

Similar Species:
Cocks Comb Coral tree can be confused with a native species "Bats Wing Coral Tree" (Erythrina vespertilio). This species has a smaller leaf with a more pronounced point. Bat's Wing is usually found on the edges of dry rainforest north of Grafton.

Suggested Alternatives:
Crepe Myrtle Lagerstroemia indica

References: