Delonix regia (Flamboyant, Royal Poinciana)

One deciduous tropical tree from the genus Delonix from the subfamily Caesalpinioidae in the family Fabaceae. The origin of the flamboyant is Madagascar, is but grown as ornamental plant in gardens, parks and as street tree in the tropics worldwide, it is widthspread in Brazil.

The tree grows to 40 to 56 feet (12 bis 17 m) tall, stipules are existent. The flamboyant forms elegant, alternating, douple feathered leaves. They are to 2 feet (60 cm) long, with 11 to 18 pairs of feathers of second category with 20 to 30 pairs of feather leaflets of each, the longish feather leaflets are 7.5 to 10 mm long and 3.5 to 4 mm wide. The lightgreen leaves are standing in the contrast to the glowing red inflorescences, which are also imaged on many stamps of many tropical countries. In bunchy inflorescents are many blossoms, which are glowing red and five-counted and have one diameter of to 4 inches (10 cm). The ten stamens are free. The fruits are large pods, which are 12 to 20 inches (30 to 50 cm) long, 2 inches wide and very thick and each of them contains 20 to 40 spotted, longish seeds. The species flowers in the summer months.

Delonix regia at the borderline of our yard in December 2009.

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Created by Joachim Jaeck on March 10th, 2010