Coral trees

Erythrina caffra is a subtropical tree that is resplendent in the warm and frost-free coastal regions of the Eastern Cape - from the Humansdorp District to Port Shepstone and inland to about 57 km into the Albany District of the Eastern Cape.

The generic name Erythrina, which originates from the Greek word for red and alludes to the bright red flowers and seeds. Caffra"is derived from the Arabic word for an unbeliever, and as used in older botanical works generally indicates that the plant was found well to the south of the range of Arab traders, that is, along the eastern seaboard of South Africa. Carl Thunberg, who is also known as the father of South African botany, gave the names in 1770.

All South African erythrinas are known for their striking flowers. Most species in this genus have been loved by many different peoples since the early days of South African history. It was also probably the first wild tree species planted in groups in the gardens of the Eastern Cape.

A solitary coastal coral tree near the present site of Port St. Johns figured in one of the very early Cape journals, that of Jacob Van Reenen, whose party journeyed into the then unknown east in search of the wreck of the Grosvenor. The leader, Jan Andreis Holtshausen, who died of lockjaw, was buried under the tree on 24 November 1790. His friends carved their names on its trunk.