ERYTHRINA lysistemon

An attractive small to medium-sized, deciduous tree with a spreading crown and brilliant red flowers. One of the best known and widely grown South African trees it is fast-growing and undemanding tree.

Prefers a light to medium well-drained soil in an open sunny position, drought resistant but frost tender.

Native to South Africa.

Grow notes:

Although seed can be sown most of the year in many parts of Australia seed is generally best sown in spring or autumn in temperate climates, avoid the coldest and hottest months of the year. The optimum germination temperature for germination is around 20-25°C for this species.

1. Place the seed in a container and pour in just boiled water and allow to soak overnight.
2. The swollen seed can then be sown, re-treat seeds that have not swollen.
3. Sow the depth of seed keep warm & moist but not wet.
4. Germination should occur in 10-21 days @ 20-25°C

General note: Seeds of many natives are dormant and require specific conditions or pre-treatment for germination.
Do not be too hasty to discard seed that does not germinate, seeds will often lay dormant until the conditions are similar to their natural requirements for germination to occur. Containers put to one side will often surprise long after they were discarded.