Dr Bhat explains about the Indian Coral tree (Erythrina indica), a showy, spreading tree. He has planted a number of its saplings in his farm spread over 12 acres... The tree is part of the legume Family meaning it uses the nitrogen present in the atmosphere and makes the soil around the tree nitrogen rich (nitrogen fixer).
It has many branches that are armed with black tiger claw spines. The leaves are diamond shaped and grow in clusters of three. Before the leaves come out in late winter, the tree puts on a spectacular show with bright crimson flowers which grow either alone or in bunches of five. The beanlike pods that follow are cylindrical and about 15 inches long.
This tree is highly valued ornamental tree and is described as one of the gems of the floral world.
Commercially it is used as a shading tree for coffee plants and provides nitrogen to the plants naturally without the use of any Chemical fertilizers.
