Naked Coral Tree

Sun Exposure: Full sun

Origin: Mexico (Michoacan), where it is threatened in the wild

Growth Habits: Small deciduous shrub or tree, 7 to 33 feet tall (2-10 m) and wide; grey bark with blackish short thick spines; pinnate leaves, 8 to 10 inches long (20-30 cm), with 3 leaflets, up to 4.4 inches long (11 cm)

Watering Needs: Occasional deep watering, needs good drainage

Propagation: Seeds, cuttings

Blooming Habits:
Bright red flowers, up to 3 inches long (7.5 cm), crowded at the end of the branches, giving the general appearance of a red pine cone. They appear before the leaves, in the spring. They are followed by cylindrical pods, up 6 inches long (15 cm), slightly constricted between the seeds.

Fruiting Habits:
The seeds are glossy, coral red, and very poisonous.