Delonix regia
Content
Description
Tree, deciduous, up to 10( — 15 or more) m high.
Leaves: main rachis 50-60 cm long; pinnae 9-20(-25) pairs, rachises up to 10 cm long.
Stipules pinnately 4- or 5-lobed.
Inflorescences up to 15 cm long, glabrous, 5-10-flowered; pedicels 5-8 cm.
Sepals oblong, 4-7 by 2-2.5 mm, acuminate, reddish on inner side.
Petals unequal, total length 3-7 cm long, the blade orbicular (3-4 cm wide) and narrowed into a claw (up to 3 cm long), one yellowish white and scarlet, the others scarlet.
Stamens equal in length; filaments up to 4 cm, red with white base; anthers oblong, c. 4 mm long.
Ovary green, slightly velutinous; style glabrous, 2.5 cm; stigma indistinct.
Seeds narrowly oblong-elliptic, compressed, up to 2.5 by 0.8 cm.
Distribution
Madagascar, thoughout the tropics cultivated
A rare plant native of Madagascar, cultivated thoughout the tropics for the magnificent flowers.
Citation
K. & S.S. Larsen 1980 – In: Fl. Camb., Laos & Vietnam: 65
A.C. Smith 1985 – In: Fl. Vit. Nova: 90
Rudd 1991 – In: Fl. Ceylon: 104.
K. & S.S. Larsen 1984 – In: Fl. Thailand: 83
Merr. 1923 – In: Enum. Philipp. Flow. Pl.: 544
Backer & Bakh. f. 1964 – In: Fl. Java: 544
Verdc. 1979: p. 30. – In: Manual New Guinea Leg., Lae Bot. Bull.: f. 5