Erythrina herbacea aka Coral Bean

Erythrina herbacea, also known as the coral bean, Cherokee bean, Mamou plant in South Louisiana, red cardinal or cardinal spear, is a flowering shrub or small tree found in the southeastern United States, northeastern Mexico, and parts of Central America. It has even been introduced as a species in Pakistan. This plant has had various systematic names in the past, including Erythrina arborea, Erythrina hederifolia, Erythrina humilis, Erythrina rubicunda, Corallodendron herbaceum, and Xyphanthus hederifolius. The coral bean is a low, glossy-leaved, thorny shrub that can grow up to 6 feet. It has many herbaceous, annual stems that arise from the woody lower stem and perennial root. The leaves are alternate, scattered along the stem, and have 3 distinctively arrowhead-shaped leaflets that are often prickly underneath. The main attraction of the coral bean is its coral-red flowers that form a crescent moon shape. While the coral bean is a beautiful plant, its seeds are poisonous to humans if eaten. If propagating from the seeds, they should be well fumigated and stored in a secure container.