Poró
Erythrina poeppigiana · Fabaceae · also Mountain immortelle, Coral tree, Bucare, Cámbulo, Písamo
A tall, fast-growing coral tree to 35 m with a prickly grey trunk and brilliant orange-red flowers pollinated by hummingbirds, borne when the tree is bare. It is the classic shade tree of Costa Rican and Andean coffee farms, where it is pollarded to 2 to 3 m twice a year so the nitrogen-rich prunings mulch the coffee. Erythrina fusca and E. berteroana play the same role on wetter and drier sites. Its leaves contain alkaloids that may be risky for non-ruminants.
Where it stands
Native
Care
Plant large stem cuttings or seedlings at 6 to 8 m spacing; weed in the first year. Start formation pruning after four to six months and regular pollarding after nine to twelve months, no more than twice a year or the tree declines. Needs no watering once established. June beetle larvae from adults feeding on its leaves can damage adjacent crops. Keep the thorny trunk away from paths.
Benefits
Good for