It is also a promising species for alley cropping and mulching. Ease of management, high biomass production, nitrogen fixation and multiple uses make E. poeppigiana a suitable tree for farm and community forestry. It is a large tree, growing to 35 m in height and 2 m in diameter. The crown is moderately spreading and the bole of large trees tends to be branchless below 10 - 20 m. The bark is grayish brown or gray, with thorn-like protuberances.
Leaves are alternate, trifoliolate.
Glandular stiples below the paired lateral folioles are large and cup-shaped. Orange or reddish flowers are produced in racimes. The upper petal is wide and open. Erythrina poeppigiana is pollinated by perching passerine birds. The pods are 10-25 cm long.