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Delonix regia (Hook.)
Rafin.
Synonym : Poinciana regia Hook.
Sub family
: Caesalpinioideae
Local Names
: Poomaram, Gulmohar, Royal poinciana,
Flame tree
Flowering and fruiting period: February – July
Distribution: Native of Madagascar; now
cultivated throughout the tropics
Habitat: Planted as ornamental tree
IUCN status: Least concern
Endemic: No
Uses: Ornamental. A leaf decoction
presumably has anti-rheumatic effects. In eastern Nigeria the leaves are used
traditionally for treating pain.
Key Characters: Gulmohar are trees with leaves
bi-pinnate, alternate; rachis, pulvinate; pinnae 8-20 pairs, opposite; leaflet
lamina oblong, margin entire. Flowers bisexual, crimson, in terminal or lateral
corymbose panicles; calyx tube very short; lobes 5, valvate; petals 5,
imbricate; margins fimbriate; upper petal dissimilar and white streaked with
red and yellow; stamens 10, free; ovary half inferior, ovules many; style
filiform; stigma truncate. Fruit a pod, woody.
