[5] The generic name is derived from the Greek word ερυθρóς erythros, meaning "red", referring to the flower color of certain species.

However, the growth of the branches can resemble the shape of sea coral rather than the color of Corallium rubrum specifically, and this is an alternative source for the name.

All species except the sterile hybrids E. × sykesii and E. × bidwillii have legume-type fruit, sometimes called pods, containing one or more seeds.

Native Hawaiians made a number of items from wiliwili wood because of its low density, such as mouo (fishing net floats), ama (outrigger canoe floats,[9] and extremely long papa heʻe nalu (surfboards) called olo.

[10] The wood was sometimes used for the waʻa (hull) of outrigger canoes intended to be used near-shore, for recreation, or for training.

In a similar vein, Zumpahuacán in Mexico derives its name from Nahuatl tzompahuacá, "place of the Erythrina americana".

man dā ra ba) growing in Sukhāvatī is identified as an Indian coral tree (E. variegata).

Though as none of the trees is identified as an Erythrina here, the concept might not be as directly related to the Asian religions as some presume.

The seeds of at least one-third of the species contain potent erythrina alkaloids, and some of these are used for medicinal and other purposes by indigenous peoples.

[17] Root tubers of Erythrina species have been traditional food for aborigines of the Northern Territory of Australia.