Small to medium-sized deciduous tree < 8 m tall. Stems are thorny and green, shiny and hairless when young, turning woody with age. Leaves are alternate, smooth, compound with three leaflets and borne on thorny petioles. Flowers are borne in clusters and are red, with one large recurved petal and a keel formed by two lower petals fused together. Seed pods are elongated, < 22 cm long, green ripening to dark brown and contain large, hard, mottled dark brown seeds.
Although coral tree is not a legally declared pest plant, it may still be invasive in some situations. Consider lower risk alternatives for your garden, such as native plants.
Coastal areas, riparian margins, wetlands, urban areas.
Sets seed. Vegetative spread from stem fragments. Seeds and stem fragments dispersed by water. Human-mediated dispersal through dumping of garden waste and deliberate plantings.
May invade riparian areas. Nitrogen fixer.
Always treat standing plants, do not cut down as all stems will regrow. Allow to fully die before felling. Follow up treated areas 3 times per year. Encourage natural regeneration of native plants or replant treated areas where possible after 2-3 treatments to establish dense ground cover and minimise reinvasion.
CAUTION: When using any herbicide or pesticide please read the label thoroughly to ensure that all instructions and safety requirements are followed.
