Cockspur coral tree is a deciduous shrub or tree with red flowers. It is a weed of waterways and floodplains, particularly in coastal areas.
Cockspur coral trees can dominate waterways and floodplains where they:
Cockspur coral tree leaves can make people feel unwell if eaten.
What to do if a person is poisoned:
Cockspur coral is a small tree or shrub trees that can grow to 6 m tall. They lose their leaves in winter.
Made up of three leaflets which are:
Cockspur coral tree looks similar to:
Cockspur coral tree has been grown as an ornamental garden plant. It has become invasive along waterways in coastal areas of New South Wales from Sydney to the Queensland border. There are also infestations in the Central West and Northern Tablelands.
It is native to South America.
Cockspur coral trees grow along riverbanks and on floodplains, swamps and wetlands. They can grow in tropical, sub-tropical and wet temperate areas.
They were cultivated as an ornamental garden plant.
Flowing water moves the pods and seeds. They can also be moved with garden waste.
Cut or broken branches can develop roots and form new plants. These can be spread by dumped garden waste or flood waters
Etcheverry, S. R., Fernández, M. A., Rates, S. K., Parrillo, S., Vásques, A., & Heinzen, H. A. (2003). Pharmacological activity and phytochemical studies of Erythrina crista-galli extracts. Molecular Medicinal Chemistry, 1, 8-12.
Navie S. (2004). Declared Plants of Australia. An identification and information system. Centre for Biological Information Technology: Brisbane. [CD-ROM]
Pittwater Council (undated). Wetland Restoration: Warriewood Wetlands and Irrawong Reserve. Environment and Rehabilitation Program. Available at: http://www.pittwater.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0012/17022/Warriewood_Wetland_Restoration_Brochure.pdf
PlantNET (The NSW Plant Information Network System). Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust, Sydney. Retrieved 4 May 2020 from https://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=sp&name=Erythrina~crista-galli
Successful weed control relies on follow up after the initial efforts. This means looking for and killing regrowth or new seedlings. Using a combination of control methods is usually more successful.
To manage cockspur coral tree:
Hand-pull or dig out small seedlings.
Cut trunks or stems and apply herbicide to the stump within 15 seconds of cutting. Dispose of cut sections or check regularly for sprouting.
Drill, saw or cut with an axe into the sapwood and fill with herbicide within 15 seconds of making the cut.
There is a permit for spraying but only in the Mid North Coast, Northern Rivers and Far North Coast of NSW. Apply herbicide from October to May by foliar application using knapsack or handgun. Only apply to plants less than 4 m tall or if using a knapsack, only trees less than 1.5 m tall.
See Using herbicides for more information.
PERMIT 88282 Expires 29/02/2028
Picloram 100 g/L + Triclopyr 300 g/L + Aminopyralid 8 g/L
(Grazon Extra®)
Rate: 500 mL / 100 L water plus surfactant.
Comments: This permit is only for Mid North Coast, Northern Rivers and Far North Coast of NSW. Apply from October to May by foliar application using knapsack or handgun. Read permit and label for more conditions.
Withholding period: Where product is used to control woody weeds in pastures there is a restriction of 12 weeks for use of treated pastures for making hay and silage; using hay or other plant material for compost, mulch or mushroom substrate; or using animal waste from animals grazing on treated pastures for compost, mulching, or spreading on pasture/crops.
Herbicide group: 4 (previously group I), Disruptors of plant cell growth (Auxin mimics)
Resistance risk: Moderate
PERMIT 88282 Expires 29/02/2028
Triclopyr 300 g/L + Picloram 100 g/L
(Various products)
Rate: 500 mL / 100 L water plus surfactant.
Comments: This permit is only for Mid North Coast, Northern Rivers and Far North Coast of NSW. Apply from October to May by foliar application using knapsack or handgun. Read permit and label for more conditions.
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: 4 (previously group I), Disruptors of plant cell growth (Auxin mimics)
Resistance risk: Moderate
PERMIT 9907 Expires 31/03/2025
Glyphosate 360 g/L
(Various products)
Rate: 1 part glyphosate to 1.5 parts water
Comments: Cut stump/drill/axe cut/inject
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: 9 (previously group M), Inhibition of 5-enolpyruvyl shikimate-3 phosphate synthase (EPSP inhibition)
Resistance risk: Moderate
Picloram 44.7 g/L + Aminopyralid 4.47 g/L
(Vigilant II ®)
Rate: Undiluted
Comments: Cut stump application: Apply a 3–5 mm layer of gel for stems less than 20 mm. Apply 5 mm layer on stems above 20 mm. Stem inject application for trees: Make a series of cuts 15-20 mm deep around the trunk using an axe or saw. Space cuts evenly with no more than a 20-40 mm gap between them. Apply a 5 mm layer of gel over the lower surface of the cut.
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: 4 (previously group I), Disruptors of plant cell growth (Auxin mimics)
Resistance risk: Moderate
The content provided here is for information purposes only and is taken from the Biosecurity Act 2015 and its subordinate legislation, and the Regional Strategic Weed Management Plans (published by each Local Land Services region in NSW). It describes the state and regional priorities for weeds in New South Wales, Australia.
Area | Duty |
---|---|
All of NSW | General Biosecurity Duty All pest plants are regulated with a general biosecurity duty to prevent, eliminate or minimise any biosecurity risk they may pose. Any person who deals with any plant, who knows (or ought to know) of any biosecurity risk, has a duty to ensure the risk is prevented, eliminated or minimised, so far as is reasonably practicable. |
Hunter |
Regional Recommended Measure* (for Regional Priority - Asset Protection)
Land managers should mitigate the risk of the plant being introduced to their land. Land managers should mitigate spread of the plant from their land. A person should not buy, sell, move, carry or release the plant into the environment. Land managers should reduce the impact of the plant on assets of high economic, environmental and/or social value. |
North Coast
Exclusion (eradication) zone: Bellingen Shire LGA, Clarence Valley LGA, Coffs Harbour City LGA, Kempsey Shire LGA, Lord Howe Island, Nambucca Valley LGA, Port Macquarie-Hastings LGA. Core infestation (containment) zone: Ballina Shire LGA, Byron Shire LGA, Kyogle Shire LGA, Lismore City LGA, Richmond Valley LGA, Tweed Shire LGA. |
Regional Recommended Measure* (for Regional Priority - Containment)
Whole of region: Land managers should mitigate the risk of the plant being introduced to their land. A person should not buy, sell, move, carry or release the plant into the environment. Exclusion zone: Notify local control authority if found. Land managers should eradicate the plant from the land and keep the land free of the plant. Core infestation: Land managers should mitigate spread of the plant from their land. Land managers should reduce the impact of the plant on assets of high economic, environmental and/or social value. |
*To see the Regional Strategic Weeds Management Plans containing demonstrated outcomes that fulfil the general biosecurity duty for this weed click here |
Reviewed 2023