Delonix spp.
flame trees
Madagascar, eastern Africa, India, and Arabia
Overview
Delonix spp. 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
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height30' - 40'
Width/Spread40' - 70'
Reaches mature size in approximately 10 years
Bloom Information
Delonix spp. 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-redFoliage Description
bright green, bipinnate and fern-likeGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
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