Cardinal Spear (Erythrina herbacea)

Family: Fabaceae or Leguminosae | Edibility: Edible (1/5)

Erythrina herbacea is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8 and is frost tender. It is in flower from July to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. It can fix Nitrogen. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Leaves, Flowers

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Spring

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Flowers - cooked. An acceptable vegetable when boiled. Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. Young leaves - occasionally cooked and eaten. — Flowers - cooked.; An acceptable vegetable when boiled.; Some caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.; Young leaves - occasionally cooked and eaten.

Habitat & North American Range

Sandy soils in hummocks, the coastal plain and pinelands. (Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9, Zone 10)