[ID] Large pea shrub

[Hornet]

No pics and a shotty id but it seems to be a fairly common tree so hopefully someone will know what i'm blabbing about. I have seen a large shrub in the pea family around the south east qld reigon, i dont believe its native as i have only ever seen it cultivated and on road sides. It gets to around 5m tall, nice brown fissured bark, i have seen it with and without thorns. It appears to be semi-decidious, large pinnate leaves and decent sized red, pea type flowers. Does anyone have any idea what i'm on about?

John

[Joel]

Could be a poinciana Delonix spp.?

Joel

[Hornet]

Nope, much darker, more fissured bark. Here are leaf pics, unfortunately they are in poor shape being last seasons leaves, only 3 leaflets per leaf and a typical pea flower

[shibui]

Not a lot to go on Hornet but what about Erythrina sp - Coral trees. Some of them are weedy along the coast and there's one or more Aussie native species (most spp from Africa or central/south America) so might be on roadsides. Pea flowers in various shades of reds and orange, some flower when there's no leaves on the trees and look spectacular, and most have thorns on the trunk.

[Hornet]

not coral tree, i'll remember to grab better pics of the tree next time a see one

[Hornet]

saw one on the way home from work so snapped some pics

[Joel]

That IS an Erythrina. I'm not sure what species it is though. There are many. A google search should provide the answer.

Joel

[Hornet]

Cheers mate, last time i only searched for "coral tree" didnt some up with anything that looked like this but searching the genus name came up with Erythrina crista-galli. Sounds like the one, listed as noxious in NSW. Any idea if it would be suited to bonsai?

John

[shibui]

Almost anything can be used as bonsai.
Erythrina spp generally have very soft wood so break and rot very easily so jin is probably not an option.... Otherwise should be pretty tough where you are as indicated by its noxious status the other side of the border.

[Hornet]

I did notice that, the new growths are so soft and spongy, will try and get seeds and give it a shot.

John