The coral tree is a spreading tropical and subtropical tree legume known for its conspicuous red blossoms. It can reach heights of 18-25 meters with a crown diameter of 6-12 meters. The coral tree has compound, trifoliate leaves on petioles 2-28 cm long. It has many prickly branches and a grey or grey-green bark. The coral tree produces terminal racemes of bright red petals that are shorter than the minutely 5-toothed calyx. It has cylindrical pods 10-25 cm long used for various medicinal purposes and as a vegetable.