Western Coral Bean or Chilicote (erythrina flabelliformis)

Photo: Sabino Canyon, AZ

Poisonous – All parts of this plant are poisonous, but the red beans are by far the most highly toxic. This plant contains Erythrina alkaloids, which include the curare-like beta-erythroidine.

The unusual red flowers of erythrina flabelliformis are long (up to 3 inches) and tubular; each component has one large upper petal which curves round to enclose four smaller lower petals. The inflorescence is a cluster of several dozen individual flowers, pointing upwards when young then downwards when fully grown.
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