Erythrina humeana aka Dwarf Kaffirboom

Erythrina humeana is a shrub in the pea family, Fabaceae. It is deciduous, which means it sheds its leaves each year. It comes from southern tropical Africa and southern Africa. Records place it in Mozambique, Zimbabwe, Eswatini, and eastern South Africa. It grows in bushland, thickets, and open grassland with scattered shrubs. These sites have dry spells as part of their climate. One common name is dwarf erythrina.

The plant has prickles, and its lasting stems turn woody. It usually stands about 4–5 feet [1.2–1.5 metres] tall. Some plants grow like trees and reach 13 feet [4 metres]. PFAF also lists this taller height for the species. A large, tuberous rootstock helps it grow back after frost damage. This is a swollen root base. Gardeners grow it for its small size and show of flowers.

PFAF gives its bloom time as July to September. Plants grown from seed take three to four years to bloom. Useful Tropical Plants says birds and insects pollinate the flowers. It also calls the plant self-fertile: it can use its own pollen. Its small form suits gardens with room for a smaller flowering shrub. PFAF suggests a sunny woodland edge or a site with light shade. Yet both care accounts favour a very sunny spot.

Give it soil that drains well and has moderate fertility. Sand, loam, or clay can work if the soil drains well. Its soil pH range spans mildly acid to mildly alkaline. PFAF says it prefers moist soil. Useful Tropical Plants says it can grow in dry soil. Once established, it copes well with drought. That source also warns that it dislikes heavy rain. Both accounts point to good drainage, not soil that stays wet.

Cold limits where this shrub can grow outdoors. PFAF lists USDA zones 8–11 but says frost can harm it. Frost may kill the stems, yet leave the rootstock alive. New shoots can then bloom in late summer. In Britain, PFAF suggests outdoor trials only in the mildest sites. A wall that gives shelter helps protect it. So does thick mulch over the bases of the stems. Keep young plants under glass for their first winter. Plant them outdoors after the last expected frost.

This species can fix nitrogen, and records note local use as medicine. PFAF lists no known edible uses. It has alkaloids with strong narcotic and purgative effects. These can cause stupor and force the bowels to empty. Such effects make eating it unsafe, not a home treatment. The supplied accounts give no pest or disease details for this species.