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Delonix, Genus, spp., Multiple species,

Genus
Multiple species

flame trees

Fabaceae

Madagascar, eastern Africa, India, and Arabia

Attracts Pollinators Attracts Butterflies Drought Tolerant

SunFull Sun

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 10–11

Overview

Delonix is a genus of about 12 species of tropical, mostly deciduous trees in the legume family, Fabaceae, native to Madagascar, eastern Africa, India, and Arabia. The most familiar species, D. regia, the royal poinciana or flame tree, is grown throughout the tropics for its broad, umbrella-shaped canopy and flushes of red to orange flowers. Trees in the genus typically reach 30-40 ft (9-12 m) tall with a crown often wider than the tree is high, 40-70 ft (12-21 m) across, casting wide, light shade through fern-like, bipinnate leaves. The flowers are large, 4-5 in (10-13 cm) across, with five spreading petals in scarlet, orange-red, or occasionally yellow, one petal usually striped white or yellow. Long, woody, flattened seed pods up to 24 in (60 cm) follow and persist on the tree. The genus is frost-tender and limited to USDA zones 10-12, and the wide, shallow roots and brittle wood can lift paving and shed limbs near buildings. Trees drop their leaves in the dry season or before flowering.

Native Range

Native to Madagascar, eastern Africa, India, and the Arabian Peninsula, with several species, including D. regia, originating in Madagascar. D. regia is now planted as a street and shade tree throughout the tropics and subtropics.

Suggested Uses

Grown as a large shade and street tree, a flowering specimen, and a park tree in tropical and subtropical regions, placed well back from paving, foundations, and drains because of the wide surface roots, with 40-70 ft (12-21 m) of room allowed for the mature crown.

How to Identify

Identify Delonix by a low, wide, umbrella-shaped crown over fern-like, twice-divided leaves with many small leaflets. In flower the tree is covered in large, five-petaled blooms 4-5 in (10-13 cm) across, scarlet to orange-red, with one petal marked in white or yellow. Long, hard, flattened brown seed pods up to 24 in (60 cm) hang from the branches and remain after the leaves drop.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height30' - 40'

Width/Spread40' - 70'

Colors

Flower Colors

red

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~8 weeks

Flowers: May–July

Spring Summer

Delonix flowers in late spring and summer, often as the tree leafs out or just before, with bloom heaviest from May to July in the Northern Hemisphere. The display lasts several weeks, covering the canopy in red to orange. Flowering is reduced in cooler or heavily shaded sites.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

scarlet to orange-red

Foliage Description

bright green, bipinnate and fern-like

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.5 (Acidic to alkaline)

3579

Soil Types

loam sand clay

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

tender

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Across the genus, Delonix grows in full sun in well-drained soil and tolerates sand, clay, poor fertility, and some salt, over a pH from about 5.5 to 7.5. Established trees withstand heat and drought and flower most freely after a warm, dry rest period. The genus is frost-tender and damaged below about 32 F (0 C), limiting it to frost-free climates. Growth is fast when young, and trees need wide, open space for the spreading crown and surface roots. The brittle wood can break in storms. Young trees are watered until established and then need little supplemental water.

Pruning

Young trees are pruned to a single leader and a high, balanced framework to reduce later limb breakage. Pruning is done while branches are small, as large cuts heal slowly. Deadwood and storm-damaged limbs are removed as they appear.