Eden

Penang Botanic Gardens Plant Collection

Delonix regia Raf. (FABACEAE)

Posted at — Nov 13, 2019
Flame of the Forest, Red Flame, Phoenix Tree, Royal Poinciana, Flamboyant Tree, Semarak Api

Description

Small deciduous tree, 9-10 m tall with umbrella-shaped crown. Leaves bipinnately compound, 20-60 cm long. Flowers in terminal clusters, bright red and orange, 10-13 cm across. Fruits a pod, flattened, green ripening reddish brown to black, woody, 30-75 cm long.

Ecology

In dry deciduous forest. It is endangered in the wild.

Distribution

Endemic to Madagascar.

Uses

Widely cultivated for its brilliant red flowers. In regions with a distinct dry season, the crown blossoms with spectacular red flowers. There is a yellow-flowered variety.