Delonix regia flower with red petals, a white and yellow upper petal streaked red, and long stamens

Delonix regia (Royal Poinciana)

Native to northern and western Madagascar, this spreading tree is widely cultivated in warm climates. Its broad crown carries twice-divided leaves with many small leaflets. The large flowers usually have four red or orange petals and a contrasting upper petal marked with white, yellow and red; yellow-flowered forms also occur. It can shed its leaves during a pronounced dry season. Long, woody pods split to release numerous hard seeds. It has naturalized in Florida, Hawaii and parts of Australia. It is an environmental weed in Australia’s Northern Territory and on Christmas Island, where dense stands can exclude native vegetation. Photographed in Colombia.

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Delonix regia flower with red-orange petals and a white and yellow upper petal streaked red

Delonix regia flower with yellow-orange petals, red markings and long stamens

Delonix regia flower with red petals and a white upper petal spotted red among divided leaves

Delonix regia flowers with yellow-orange petals, pale upper petals and long stamens

Delonix regia flower with orange-red petals and a white and yellow upper petal streaked red

Delonix regia flower with red-orange petals and a white upper petal speckled red among green buds

Delonix regia flowers with yellow-orange petals and pale upper petals marked red

Delonix regia flower with curled red-orange petals and long stamens beside green buds against blue sky

Delonix regia flowers with yellow-orange petals and pale upper petals beside green buds

Delonix regia flower with red petals and long stamens surrounded by green buds

Delonix regia flowers with yellow-orange petals and long stamens among divided leaves

Delonix regia branches bearing red-orange flowers, green buds and twice-divided leaves

Delonix regia flower cluster with yellow-orange petals, pale upper petals and green buds