Royal Poinciana
Flamboyant
Delonix regia
Observed at Ft. Jesus, Mombasa, Kenya. January 2012.
FLOWERS: Five very large petals are uneven in size and coloration. Most
specimens have red-orange flowers, but there are cultivars with alternate
flower colors.
TREE: Large tree with widely spreading branches provide welcome shade.
LEAVES: Leaves are twice compound with small leaflets. The leaves appear
feathery.
RANGE: This tree is found in gardens and hotel grounds mostly in lower,
hotter portions of Kenya, including near the coast. It survives at higher
elevations as well. Native to Madagascar and now planted everywhere in the hot
tropics. Invasive potential is low.
FRUIT: The brown bean pods are long, rather wide, and mostly straight.
On maturity they are woody and hard, sometimes exceeding a 1 m in length.
UNARMED. No thorns.