Family: Bignoniaceae
Author: P.Beauv.
Bibliography: Fl. Oware 1: 47 1805
Year: 1805
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Spathodea
Vegetable: False
Observations: W. Trop. Africa to Uganda and Angola
Description
The African tuliptree, scientifically named Spathodea campanulata, is a visually striking member of the Bignoniaceae family. Originally described in 1805 by P. Beauv. in “Fl. Oware 1: 47,” this tree is native to Western Tropical Africa, extending from West Africa through Uganda and reaching as far as Angola.
Renowned for its captivating beauty, the African tuliptree is particularly noted for its impressive floral displays. The tree produces large, bell-shaped flowers that range in color from vibrant orange to deep red, often with an exquisite yellow throat. These flowers form in clusters, creating a spectacular burst of color, which has made the tree a popular ornamental choice in many tropical and subtropical regions outside its native range.
Growing up to 24 meters (approximately 80 feet) in height, the African tuliptree features a broadly rounded canopy and a relatively smooth, greyish-brown bark. The leaves are pinnate, providing a lush, green backdrop that further accentuates the vivid hues of the blossoms. Besides its aesthetic appeal, the African tuliptree is also known for its rapid growth and resilience in various soil conditions, though it prefers well-drained soils and sunny exposures.
In its native habitat, Spathodea campanulata plays a crucial role in the local ecosystem. Its flowers provide a rich nectar source that attracts a plethora of pollinators, including bees, birds, and bats. The seed pods, which follow the flowering phase, dehisce to release numerous winged seeds, facilitating wind dispersal and contributing to the tree’s propagation.
Despite its ecological benefits, the African tuliptree has garnered attention as an invasive species in certain regions where it has been introduced. Its ability to grow rapidly and outcompete native vegetation has led to significant ecological concerns, prompting efforts to manage its spread in these areas.
To mitigate these concerns, responsible cultivation practices are recommended. This includes monitoring and controlling its expansion, particularly in sensitive ecosystems where the balance of native species can be easily disrupted.
In summary, the African tuliptree is a magnificent and versatile plant, celebrated for its stunning floral displays and ecological significance in its native regions. However, mindful stewardship is essential when introducing it to new environments to prevent unintended ecological impacts.
Common Names
Eng: african tuliptree, african-tuliptree, fireball, flame-of-the-forest, flametree, fountain tree, tuliptree, african tulip tree, nandi flame
Deu: afrikanischer tulpenbaum
Swe: afrikanskt tulpanträd, afrikansk tulpanträd
Fra: tulipier du gabon
Spa: tulipán africano
En: African Tuliptree, African Flame Tree, African Tulip Tree, Kibobackasi, Nandi Flame, South African Tulip Tree, Tulipn africano, Fireball, Fountain tree, African-tuliptree, Flame-of-the-forest, Flametree, Tuliptree, Flame of the forest
Af: Afrika vlamboom
Ar: شجرة التوليب الأفريقية
Bn: রুদ্রপলাশ
Ca: Arbre de les tulipes, Arbre de les tulipes africà
Cs: Spatodea zvonkovitá
Fi: Tulppaanitrumpetti
Fr: Tulipier du Gabon, Immortel étranger, Tulipier d’Afrique, Bâton du sorcier
De: Afrikanischer Tulpenbaum
El: Σπαθοδέα
He: מתחלית פעמונית
Hu: Afrikai tulipánfa
Id: Kiacret
Ja: カエンボク
Lg: Kifabakazi
Ml: സ്കൂട്ട്മരം
Nb: Afrikansk tulipantre
Pl: Spatodea dzwonkowata
Ru: Спатодея
Es: Llama del bosque., Tulipán africano
Su: Ki acrét
Sw: Kibobakazi
Sv: Afrikanskt tulpanträd, Afrikansk tulpanträd
Th: แคแสด
To: Tiulipe
: African tuliptree
Synonyms
Distribution
- Angola (native)
- Benin (native)
- Burundi (native)
- Cameroon (native)
- Central African Repu (native)
- Congo (native)
- Ethiopia (native)
- Gabon (native)
- Gambia (native)
- Guinea (native)
- Guinea-Bissau (native)
- Gulf of Guinea Is. (native)
- Ivory Coast (native)
- Liberia (native)
- Nigeria (native)
- Rwanda (native)
- Senegal (native)
- Sierra Leone (native)
- Sudan (native)
- Tanzania (native)
- Togo (native)
- Uganda (native)
- Zaïre (native)
- Bangladesh (introduced)
- Caroline Is. (introduced)
- Cayman Is. (introduced)
- Chad (introduced)
- Comoros (introduced)
- Cook Is. (introduced)
- Costa Rica (introduced)
- Cuba (introduced)
- Dominican Republic (introduced)
- Ecuador (introduced)
- El Salvador (introduced)
- Eritrea (introduced)
- Fiji (introduced)
- Guatemala (introduced)
- Haiti (introduced)
- Hawaii (introduced)
- Honduras (introduced)
- India (introduced)
- Jamaica (introduced)
- Kenya (introduced)
- Leeward Is. (introduced)
- Lesser Sunda Is. (introduced)
- Line Is. (introduced)
- Madeira (introduced)
- Malaya (introduced)
- Marianas (introduced)
- Marshall Is. (introduced)
- Mexico Central (introduced)
- Mexico Gulf (introduced)
- Mexico Southwest (introduced)
- Puerto Rico (introduced)
- Society Is. (introduced)
- Southwest Caribbean (introduced)
- Sri Lanka (introduced)
- Trinidad-Tobago (introduced)
- Venezuelan Antilles (introduced)
- Windward Is. (introduced)
Additional Images
Flower
Taken Apr 4, 2018 by Christoph Hofrichter (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 6, 2017 by pablocuesta92 (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 28, 2017 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 18, 2018 by Luciano Teles (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 21, 2018 by Thierry Cavallini (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Nov 20, 2004 by Daniel Barthelemy (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 1, 2022 by Irmgard Groß (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 14, 2020 by Pauli Jürgen Paulus (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 10, 2020 by Marek Cholewa (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 29, 2017 by Fejul Xeto (cc-by-sa)
Fruit
Taken Aug 10, 2021 by Stefan Groenveld (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 25, 2021 by Rez Ng (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 12, 2016 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 12, 2019 by igartaraz (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 10, 2019 by Leandro Leo (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Dec 15, 2021 by Àngel (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 21, 2020 by S Abhishek Mohanty (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 24, 2021 by M Kariuki (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 2, 2021 by Param Pandya (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 13, 2021 by Tomáš Dömény – Molnár (cc-by-sa)
Other
Taken Dec 1, 2019 by dragojardines (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 15, 2019 by Luis Oscar Herrera Valdez (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 26, 2021 by Leydi Peniche (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 14, 2010 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 14, 2010 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Nov 30, 2020 by López Coronel David (cc-by-sa)
Taken Nov 30, 2020 by López Coronel David (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 7, 2019 by Haude Givry (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 18, 2013 by Tela Botanica − Yoan MARTIN (cc-by-sa)
Taken Apr 27, 2021 by Fernando da Luz Schmidt (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- IPNI (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3172574)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:110661-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Spathodea campanulata P.Beauv.)
Specifications
Growth habit>: Tree