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 plant is a spreading tree widely cultivated throughout the tropics and subtropics. Its broad, umbrella-shaped crown carries twice-divided leaves with many pairs of small, oblong leaflets. The large flowers usually have four red or orange petals and a contrasting upper petal marked with white, yellow and red streaks. Yellow-flowered forms also occur. Trees often shed some of their foliage before flowering and become deciduous where there is a pronounced dry season. The long seed pods begin green and flexible, then become dark, woody and slightly curved. They split at maturity to release numerous hard seeds. 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