English: Deigo or the Indian coral bean.
Locally: Deigo.
Geek Speak: Erythrina Orientalis Murray.
The Deigo tree was originally brought here from India. Between March and May, this tree blooms bright red flowers to the very end of it's branches.
The bright red flower is a very important symbol of the Okinawa islands, and its beauty plays an important role in promoting tourism.
The Deigo tree has a high financial value because its trunk section is used in traditional Ryukyuan lacquerware.
These were all factors for the the Deigo tree being chosen as a symbol of Okinawa in 1972.
It is said that the red flowers of the Deigo is to remind us the of the blood spilled during WWII. The trees are in bloom at about the same time of year that the war occurred here.
