Erythrina lysistemon is one of the first wild trees planted in South Africa’s gardens. This deciduous tree has an open but sparse roundish crown, it can reach a mature height of 12m tall when growing conditions are favourable. Its distribution stretches from Tanzania in the north to the Eastern Cape in the South. The Common coral tree can tolerate a wide range of attitudes and habitats.

Leaves of this tree are heart-shaped with smooth margins. The tree is leafless for up to 4 or 5 months of the year. The smooth greyish bark has hooked prickles scattered on the trunk and branches. Erythrina lysistemon flowers from June to October usually before new leaves appear. The bright red flowers are carried in short, dense heads, about 9 cm long.  These flowers produce plenty of nectar that attracts nectar-feeding birds and insects which in turn attract insect-feeding birds as well. The fruit is a narrow-curved pod up to 210mm long and constricted between the seeds. The pods split to reveal shiny orange to red seeds.

The common coral tree is ideal as a street tree as it produces a stunning display when no other trees are in flower. It can grow well in a container; the root system is aggressive and the safest allowable distance of this tree from buildings is plus or minus six metres. Although the Common coral tree is sensitive to cold and grows best in frost free gardens, it will survive in regions with a winter minimum of -1 °C.