erythrina speciosa
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common name: Littoral mulungu, Mulungu, Candelabrum erythrine, Corticeira, Red erythrine, Erythrin
Scientific name: Erythrina speciosa
Synonym:
Family: Fabaceae
Gender: erythrina
Plant Type:  Perennial
Origin: Brazil, in the Southeast and South regions.
 
Description: It is one of the most beautiful Brazilian trees, the mulungu-do-litoral, it has inflorescences in the shape of a chandelier, composed of reddish-orange flowers, very attractive to hummingbirds. The leaves are wide with thin, almost heart-shaped tips and fall in winter, so the tree remains bare of foliage during flowering. The trunk is thorny and the wood is light, soft and not very durable. Size 3 to 5 meters high.
 
Environment:  A native of the Atlantic Forest, it appreciates humidity, growing well in marshland, along rivers and on the coast.
 
Flowering: Occurs in late winter and early spring. The fruits are pods.
 
Temperature: It resists the cold, but prefers mild temperatures.
 
Light: It should be grown in full sun, in fertile and moist soil, preferably rich in organic matter. In Portugal and after being adapted, it tolerates drought and poor soil well.
 
watering: Water regularly.
 
Fertilizing: During the period of active growth, they should be fertilized fortnightly with an appropriate fertilizer,
 
Advices: It has an excellent landscape effect, as in addition to its unique beauty, it produces good shade in summer and allows light to pass through in winter.