Mountain Immortelle. Madre de Cacao (Erythrina poeppigiana)

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

Erythrina poeppigiana is a deciduous Tree growing to 25 m (82ft) by 25 m (82ft) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10. The flowers are pollinated by Birds. It can fix Nitrogen. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade.

Edible Parts & Harvest Seasons

Edible Parts: Flowers

Harvest Seasons: Early Summer, Spring

Flavor & Culinary Uses

Flowers - eaten in soups and salads. — Flowers - eaten in soups and salads.

Habitat & North American Range

Humid and subhumid tropical lowlands, such as the riverine and upland forests of the Amazon and Orinoco Basins. Found in secondary formations, in areas not subject to inundation, favouring deep, fertile, humus-rich, clayey soils. (Zone 10)