Delonix elata

Native to northeastern and eastern Africa and the southern Arabian Peninsula, this plant is a deciduous tree of dry bushland and thickets. It has a rounded, spreading crown and smooth, buff or gray bark. Its twice-divided leaves carry many pairs of narrow, oblong leaflets. Flower clusters develop near the ends of branches. Four petals open white, while the smaller upper petal is pale yellow; the flowers gradually turn yellow to apricot as they age. Long red stamens extend beyond the crinkled petals. Flattened, reddish-brown pods contain oblong seeds. The flowers provide pollen and nectar for bees, and the leaves are used as livestock fodder. Its wood is used for furniture and tools, and the tree is planted for shade and erosion control. Photographed in Florida.