Description
Delonix regia or Royal Poinciana (so named because it used to be in the genus, Poinciana and the tree was named for an 18th century governor of the French West Indies, Monsieur de Poinci. It is a flamboyant tree in flower – generally recognised as the world’s most colorful tree. For several weeks in spring and specifically in summer it is covered with exuberant clusters of flame-red orange flowers, 4-5 in (1.2-12.7 cm) across. Even up close, the individual flowers are striking: they have four spoon shaped spreading scarlet or orange-red petals about 3 in (7.6 cm) long, and one upright slightly larger petal (the standard) which is marked with yellow and white. The Delonix regia tree gets 30-40 ft (9.1-12.2 m) tall, but its elegant wide-spreading umbrella-like canopy can be wider than its height. Flamboyant tree is deciduous in climates that have a marked dry season, but in areas where the winter is not that much dryer than the summer, it is a semi-evergreen tree. Even the leaves are elegant: they are lacy and fernlike, twice-pinnate, and 12-20 in (30.5-50.8 cm) long with 20-40 pairs of primary leaflets (pinnae), each divided into 10-20 pairs of secondary leaflets (pinules). The dark brown pods are flat and woody, up to 24 in (61 cm) long and 2 in (5.1 cm) wide. A naturally occurring variety (var. flavida) has golden-yellow flowers.
Location
Royal Poinciana is native to Madagascar. It is widely cultivated and may be seen adorning avenues, parks and estates in tropical cities throughout the world. A casual visitor might think the Caribbean Islanders invented this tree they call simply “flamboyant.” Poinciana frequently escapes cultivation and establishes in frost-free climates.
Culture
Royal Poinciana is very fast growing, about 5 ft (1.5 m) per year until maturity, and tolerant of a wide range of well drained soils from acidic to alkaline and from loamy to gravelly. It’s best to provide protection from strong winds. Light: Full sun exposure
Moisture
Royal Poinciana is drought tolerant, but does best with regular water in the growing season and very little water in its dormant season.
Propagation
Propagate Delonix regia from semi-ripe tip cuttings taken in summer. Best results come with bottom parts. Seedlings vary in flower characteristics and may take 10 or more years to flower.
Usage
Royal poinciana is a spectacular shade tree in tropical climates. As a free standing specimen tree, it has no peers. The tree tolerates salty conditions and can be grown near the coast, but not in openly exposed beach conditions. Royal Poinciana tolerates hard pruning and can be kept at a small size and even grown in the greenhouse. The flamboyant tree has shallow, wide-spreading roots that will not allow under planting and the roots can be a threat to building foundations and sidewalks. The tree sheds large woody pods and brittle branches that get broken off in the wind. Seedlings will come up all around the tree.
Features
Royal Poinciana puts on its riotous show over a long season in spring and summer. Even if it never bloomed, it would still be one of the most beautiful trees in the world with its graceful live oak-like form, sculptured Ficus-like surface roots, and lacy fernlike foliage. Virtually everyone falls in love with this tree at first sight. In the Caribbean Islands the pods are used for fuel and called “woman’s tongue” because of the rattling noise they make when the wind blows them (a couple other species share this nickname for the same reason).
