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Erythrina crista-galli
A broadly spreading tree growing up to 6m tall. The stems are sparsely covered in sharp thorns. Its leaves are divided into three elongated leaflets. Its scarlet red to dark red pea-shaped flowers are borne in large elongated clusters at the tips of the branches. Its elongated, dark brown, pods are slightly constricted between each of the shiny mottled seeds.... This tree is an emerging environmental weed in Queensland and New South Wales, invading natural areas, particularly along waterways and in wetlands. (Brisbane City Council website) This species is native to South America, and is the national tree and flower of Argentina.
Spotted along the track at Oxley Creek Common, in the Brisbane suburb of Rocklea. This is a low-lying, flood-prone grassland area adjacent to Oxley Creek, with a thin line of mangroves along its banks. This provides a corridor for animals to move through the area. This swampy grassland area is ideal habitat for this invasive species.
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