Carol Cloud Bailey
Family
Fabaceae
Botanical Name
DELONIX regia
Plant Common Name
Flamboyant Tree, Flame Tree, Royal Poinciana
General Description
Often called the most beautiful flowering tree in the world, royal poinciana fills its spreading, handsome branches with feathery foliage and flamboyant scarlet-orange blossoms in late spring and early summer. A semi-deciduous tree native to the island of Madagascar, it is drought and salt-tolerant, making it among the quintessential trees for tropical landscapes, rivaled for its fame only by the coconut palm.
Typically without leaves in the dry winter months, the tree buds with the return of warmth and summer rains. The foliage is feathery and finely textured, with bright-green, doubly pinnate leaves – as many as 1000 leaflets making up one of the leaves. Simultaneously with or prior to the emergence of new leaves, the branches blaze with masses of large orange-red flowers with four mushroom-shaped petals and one more that is slightly larger and often speckled with dots of another color. When in bloom, the mounded canopy can be a solid cloud of red, orange or yellow-orange. Large seed pods follow the flowers, which are pollinated by insects and birds.
The royal poinciana must be grow in a well-drained soil that is fertile, near the coast or further inland. It is important to fertilize the tree in very sandy or highly alkaline soils during the growing season. Do not situate this surface-rooting tree too closely to pavement or building foundations. The gray trunk is often quite short at the point of the first large side branches. In fact, the tree attains its most magnificent parasol shape if given full sun with lots of room. In humid tropical regions the tree may retain leaves in winter if it is warm and there is timely rain; however, a marked dry period is needed to ensure the renowned explosive flowering once the rainy season begins. Also note that artificial light, such as urban street lamps, can inhibit the natural formation of flowers on branches illuminated at night.
Royal poinciana's wood is considered brittle and can readily break in strong windstorms, and is seemingly favored by termites. Use this “beyond beautiful” tree as a seaside specimen or space-requiring street tree near the beach or inland. It may also be trained as a bonsai. The natural variety flava is scarce but has golden yellow flowers with the fifth petal marked in red and white.
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Loam, Sand
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Tolerances
Pollution, Drought, Salt
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Growth Rate
Fast
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Water Requirements
Drought Tolerant, Average Water
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Habit
Spreading
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
Red, Orange Red
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Flower Color Modifier
Multi-Color
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Fruit Color
Brown
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Green, Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Dark Green
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Bark Color
Gray
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
Yes
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Fine
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
Semi-Evergreen
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Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
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Bark Texture
Smooth
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Usage
Feature Plant, Shade Trees, Street Trees, Tropical
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
No
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Attracts
Birds, Hummingbirds, Butterflies
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Self-Sowing
Yes
