coral tree

American  

noun

1. any of various tropical shrubs or trees of the genus Erythrina, of the legume family, having large clusters of pealike flowers.

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coral tree British  

noun

1. any of various thorny, tropical trees of the leguminous genus Erythrina, having bright red flowers and reddish shiny seeds

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Etymology

Origin of coral tree

First recorded in 1625–35

Example Sentences

A concrete Buddha used to gaze toward the horizon from its perch beneath a coral tree.

From Los Angeles Times

As curator of the online arboretum “Trees of LA,” Carrie celebrates the power of jacarandas on Instagram to make Angelenos aware of other remarkable trees that flower simultaneously, such as vibrant orange coral trees.

From Los Angeles Times

The city’s landscape, from verdant hillside to winding canyon, is flecked with diverse plantings, like coral trees, gum myrtles, and, of course, the tree that has come to symbolize Los Angeles: the palm.

From New York Times

At a food distribution center in Skid Row, magenta bougainvillea is blooming, and so are Indian coral trees, full of fire-colored blossoms, The Los Angeles Times reports.

From New York Times

In the 1960s, the city snubbed its own native trees to name another South African beauty, the coral tree, as our official arboreal symbol.

From Los Angeles Times