This tropical herbal perennial shrub grows mainly in coastal areas and in sandy, open woodlands, clearings, and in naturalized areas. In cooler zones, it may freeze above ground in winter but will regrow in the spring. Its main attraction is coral-red flowers in a crescent moon shape which are attractive to hummingbirds. It grows well in loamy clay soils and is often used to add color to a garden area. Coral bean is a low, glossy-leaved, thorny shrub, growing up to 6 ft. with many herbaceous, annual stems arising from the woody lower stem and perennial root. Three arrow-shaped leaflets, one leaf, each have a long stalk attaching to their stem. Leaves fall in winter and before reappearing in spring, upright spikes of showy, tubular flowers appear on the bare branches. The bright-red flowers, up to 12 inches long in spike-like clusters, occur on the upper part of the stem. There are 5 united sepals and 5 petals 1 1/2-2 inches long, with the upper petal wrapped around the other 4. These are followed by a persisent legume pod containing several bright red beans. The pod is blackish, constricted between the seeds, and up to 8 1/2 inches long. The seeds are firmly attached to the pod by a sturdy 1/8-inch-long thread and will remain in place for months. Seeds are poisonous to humans if eaten, and can especially be a problem for children due to their smaller size. Sensitivity to a toxin can vary by person characteristics and susceptibility and by plant season. If propagating from the seeds, they should be collected in the fall and well fumigated and stored in a secure container, away from children. Scarify or scratch the outer coat of the seeds before planting in the spring.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage
Available space
6-feet-12 feet
NC region
Coastal
Mature size
Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in. | Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Slow
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf feel
Glossy; Prickly
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 3-6 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Leaves are alternate, scattered along the stem. Three leaflets form the leaf, which can be prickly underneath.
Flower color
Red/Burgundy
Flower value
Long Bloom Season; Showy
Flower shape
Funnel
Flower detail
Flowers appear before leaves from May to July, are in an elongated terminal cluster, somewhat tube-shaped, and scarlet in color. Their bloom can be up to 12 inches long with 5 fused sepals and 5 petals. The upper petal wraps around the 4 other petals.
Bloom time
Fall; Spring; Summer
Fruit color
Black; Red/Burgundy
Fruit type
Legume
Fruit value
Showy
Fruit size
> 3 inches long
Fruit detail
A persistent 8 1/2" long black bean pod constricted between red beans. Displays from July to September.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Origin
Mexico and southern USA
Distribution
Southern and southeastern states
Wildlife value
Flowers attract hummingbirds.
Attracts
Hummingbirds
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Leaves; Flowers; Seeds
Harvest time
Summer
Fruit type
Legume
Edibility
Caution is encouraged in human use as an herb. Flowers and young leaves may be cooked and eaten, however, all parts of the plant have low toxicity. Symptoms mainly occur with ingestion of seeds. Symptoms are vomiting and diarrhea; prior to modern medicine concoctions from the plant were used to relieve constipation.
Uses (ethnobotany)
Necklaces are made from the seeds though they should be kept away from children.