textAdminOnlyNameForClipboard
Tambookie Thorn
Erythrina acanthocarpa
SA tree number
English: Tambookie Thorn, Tambuki Thorn, Tambuki Coral Tree
Afrikaans: Tamboekiedoring, Tamboekie Koraalboom, Tamboekiewortel, Wag-'n-Bietjiedoring
Xhosa: Umgqwane
Historical scientific names: Erythrina humei
Erythrina acanthocarpa, commonly known as the Tambookie Thorn or Tambuki Coral Tree, is a striking and critically endangered indigenous shrub or small tree endemic to the Eastern Cape province of South Africa.
This unique plant is instantly recognisable by its distinctive, corky bark covered in robust thorns, and its spectacular, large, bi-coloured flowers that are a vibrant mix of scarlet and yellow, making it a highly prized ornamental.
Have you got a better picture?
If you don't mind us using it, please upload it by clicking the Upload button below (you must be logged in to do this)
Distinguishing features
A critically endangered shrub or small tree, endemic to the Eastern Cape.
Characterised by its densely thorny, corky bark on both stems and branches.
Produces spectacular, large, bi-coloured flowers with scarlet red standards and yellow keels/wings, often appearing before the leaves.
Leaves are trifoliate (composed of three leaflets), with leaflets that can also be prickly.
Has distinctive thick, woody, and very prickly seed pods.
Overall appearance:
Erythrina acanthocarpa is typically a multi-stemmed, sprawling shrub or small tree. Its most striking features are its exceptionally thorny, corky branches and the dramatic, bi-coloured flowers that emerge, often on bare branches, creating a magnificent display. It has a rather rugged yet ornamental appeal.
Height:
Usually grows between 1 and 3 metres tall, occasionally reaching up to 5 metres.
Width:
Can spread widely, often forming a dense, thorny clump up to 3-5 metres in diameter.
Leaves:
Compound, trifoliate (composed of three leaflets), appearing after the flowers.
Each leaflet is broadly ovate to rhomboidal, about 3-10 cm long, and can be hairless or slightly hairy.
Both the upper and lower surfaces of the leaflets, as well as the petiole (leaf stalk), often have small, sharp prickles.
Leaves are deciduous, falling in winter.
Flowers:
Large, showy, and unusually bi-coloured, measuring 5-8 cm long.
The standard petal is typically bright scarlet red, while the keel and wing petals are bright yellow or greenish-yellow.
They are borne in dense, erect terminal racemes (flower spikes) up to 30 cm long.
The plant is hermaphroditic (flowers contain both male and female parts) and is not dioecious.
Pollinated by birds, particularly sunbirds.
Flowering season:
Flowers profusely in late winter to early spring, typically from July to September, often before the new leaves emerge.
Fruits:
Thick, woody, cylindrical pods, 7-15 cm long, often conspicuously covered in strong, stiff prickles or spines.
They are constricted between the seeds and ripen to a dark brown or black colour.
Pods remain on the tree for a long time.
Seeds:
Bright red with a black spot, small, smooth, and shiny (typically associated with other Erythrina species, but specific details for E. acanthocarpa focus on the pod's prickliness rather than seed colour in primary sources, though they are likely red or orange).
Contained within the prickly pods. They are not easily dispersed naturally due to the tough pod.
Bark:
Distinctive, thick, corky, and deeply furrowed, covered in numerous robust, conical, and very sharp thorns. Even young branches and sometimes leaf petioles are thorny.
Stems:
Multi-stemmed from the base, with stout, woody, and exceptionally thorny branches. The stems are also covered in the characteristic corky bark.
Wood:
The wood is light and soft, typical of Erythrina species.
Thorns:
A defining feature: very robust, conical, sharp thorns cover the trunk, branches, and often the leaves and pods. These can be up to 1-2 cm long or more.
Roots:
Possesses a fairly shallow, spreading root system, typical of many shrubs. It forms a large underground rootstock that allows it to resprout after fire or damage.
Soil type:
Prefers well-drained, sandy or loamy soils. It is quite adaptable but performs best in full sun.
Aspect:
Thrives in full sun. It is highly drought-tolerant once established and can withstand moderate frost. Due to its critically endangered status, ensuring ideal growing conditions (well-drained soil, good sun) is important for successful cultivation.
Edibility:
Not edible. Like many Erythrina species, parts of the plant, especially the seeds, contain toxic alkaloids.
Toxicity:
All parts of the plant, especially the seeds, are considered toxic due to the presence of alkaloids such as erythraline and erysodine. Ingestion can cause various symptoms, including neurological effects. It should be treated with caution.
Uses:
Ornamental: Highly prized in horticulture for its spectacular, bi-coloured flowers, making it a focal point in gardens.
Security Barrier: Its extremely thorny nature makes it an effective security barrier or impenetrable hedge.
Conservation: Crucial for ex-situ conservation efforts due to its critically endangered status.
Traditional Uses: Historically, some Erythrina species have been used in traditional medicine, but for E. acanthocarpa, due to its toxicity and rarity, specific traditional medicinal uses are not widely documented for common practice. Its thorns were sometimes used as needles or pins.
Ecology:
Pollination: The bright, contrasting colours and morphology of the flowers are perfectly adapted for bird pollination, specifically by sunbirds, which are attracted to the nectar.
Habitat: Naturally found in isolated populations within dry, thorny bushveld and thicket vegetation, often on steep, rocky slopes.
Conservation Importance: Its critically endangered status highlights its ecological vulnerability and the need for protection and propagation.
Distribution and habitat:
Erythrina acanthocarpa is endemic to the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa, making it a very rare and geographically restricted species.
South African Provinces: Eastern Cape.
Habitat: Occurs in dry, thorny bushveld and thicket, often on steep, rocky, or shale slopes. Its natural habitat is under severe threat from agricultural expansion and habitat degradation.
Derivation of name:
The genus name Erythrina is derived from the Greek word 'erythros', meaning "red," referring to the typically red flowers of many species in the genus.
The species epithet acanthocarpa is derived from Greek: 'acanthos' meaning "thorn" or "prickle," and 'karpos' meaning "fruit," referring to its highly spiny or prickly seed pods, a key distinguishing feature.
The common name "Tambookie Thorn" refers to the region (formerly Tambookieland, now part of the Eastern Cape) where it is naturally found, and its very thorny nature.
Historical aspects:
Erythrina acanthocarpa has a relatively short recorded history in European botany, having been described in the early 19th century. Its critically endangered status is a recent development, highlighting the significant loss of its natural habitat in the Eastern Cape. Traditional uses by indigenous people would have been highly localised due to its rarity, with its thorns perhaps being used for practical purposes.
Interesting facts
This plant is one of South Africa's rarest gems, found only in the Eastern Cape – it's like a botanical VIP!
Its flowers are like a fancy art piece, splashed with both fiery red and sunny yellow. It's truly unique amongst the coral trees!
Forget thorny roses, the Tambookie Thorn has thorns covering its trunk, branches, and even its seed pods – it's basically a living fortress!
Growing tips
Propagation: Best propagated from seed. Seeds should be nicked or scarified (file a small notch in the hard seed coat) and soaked in warm water overnight to aid germination. Sow in a well-drained, sandy mix.
Cuttings: Large truncheons (thick stem cuttings) can be rooted, but this method is less common for Erythrina acanthocarpa compared to other Erythrina species.
Planting: Prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It is drought-tolerant once established.
Frost: Tolerates moderate frost, but young plants should be protected during their first few winters.
Care: Requires minimal watering once established. Avoid overwatering, especially in winter.
Conservation: If you grow this plant, you're directly contributing to the conservation of a critically endangered species!
This plant is a fantastic alternative for:
Common name
Scientific Name
Plant type:
Plant type
Plant family:
Plant family (derivation)