Species library · Plants & herbs

Coral Bean: deadly poisonous

Erythrina herbacea

☠ Deadly poisonous. Do not eat.What to do if poisoning is suspected

Coral Bean is classed as deadly poisonous in the Forage field guide. This page helps you identify it and tell it apart from similar species. It is not a foraging guide. When in doubt, have a find identified by an expert.

If you suspect poisoning, call your local poison control center right away. If someone has trouble breathing, has a seizure or is unconscious, call emergency services. Don't wait for symptoms: with some poisonings they only start hours later. Keep any leftovers of the find, they help identify it.

Usually seen from May to July in the northern hemisphere. Found in Scrub & hedgerows, Woodland edges.

☠ Deadly poisonous
Coral Bean (Erythrina herbacea)

Photo: (c) Megan Hansen, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · iNaturalist

When Coral Bean appears

Typical window in the northern hemisphere. The southern hemisphere runs about six months offset.

Where it grows

Coral Bean is usually found in Scrub & hedgerows, Woodland edges.

Look up Coral Bean in the app

In the Forage app, Coral Bean has a full field guide entry with more photos, key features and the species it can be confused with.

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Coral Bean: common questions

Is Coral Bean poisonous?

Yes. Coral Bean is classed as deadly poisonous in the Forage field guide. Do not eat it. If you suspect poisoning, call your local poison control center right away, or emergency services if it is life-threatening.

When does Coral Bean appear?

Coral Bean usually appears from May to July in temperate northern regions. The exact timing shifts with latitude, elevation and each year's weather.

Where does Coral Bean grow?

Coral Bean is usually found in Scrub & hedgerows, Woodland edges.

One note before you head out

Forage helps you discover and identify wild plants, but identification is never 100% certain. Many edible plants have toxic lookalikes. Never eat anything you find based only on what this app tells you. Always confirm with a field guide, an experienced forager or a local expert. The season score tells you where to look, too: it’s not a guarantee. Mind conservation law and property rights as well.

Species photos via Wikimedia Commons and iNaturalist · full credits