Botanical Overview
Erythrina senegalensis belongs to the Fabaceae family. Limited but reliable traditional records indicate this plant has recognized medicinal applications in one or more healing traditions. The legume family (Fabaceae) includes trees, shrubs, and herbs that produce pods (legumes) and form nitrogen-fixing root nodules through symbiosis with bacteria. The flowers are typically pea-shaped with five petals. This large family provides food staples, timber, and numerous medicinal species.
General Description
Erythrina senegalensis, the Senegal coraltree, is a plant in the pea family Fabaceae, native to West Africa.
Family Context
The Fabaceae family is large and globally distributed. Notable medicinal members include:
- Soybean — 76 documented uses
- Crab’s Eye — 73 documented uses
- Tamarind — 59 documented uses
- Common Indigo — 51 documented uses
Geographic Distribution
Erythrina senegalensis has been recorded in 10 countries and territories worldwide, including Burkina Faso, Benin, Ivory Coast, Cameroon, Ghana, and others.