Flamboyant (Delonix regia, Fl. Tellur. 2: 92 (1837))

Family: Fabaceae

Author: (Bojer ex Hook.) Raf.

Bibliography: Fl. Tellur. 2: 92 (1837)

Year: 1837

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Delonix

Vegetable: False

Observations: N. & W. Madagascar

Description

The Flamboyant tree, scientifically named Delonix regia, is a striking and vibrant member of the Fabaceae family. First documented in 1837, this spectacular tree has since captivated people globally with its impressive, fiery-red blossoms and elegant, fern-like foliage.

Native to the regions of Northern and Western Madagascar, the Flamboyant is particularly celebrated for its broad, umbrella-like canopy that provides superb shade and visual appeal. The tree’s radiant flowers, which bloom in clusters during the late spring and early summer months, are not just a feast for the eyes but also attract a variety of pollinators, making it an ecologically significant species.

Delonix regia typically reaches heights of 30 to 40 feet, and its expansive canopy can span up to 60 feet wide. The tree’s pinnate leaves add to its lush appearance, creating a thick, green backdrop that contrasts beautifully with its vivid inflorescences. Due to its rapid growth rate and relatively low maintenance needs, the Flamboyant is a popular choice for ornamental planting in tropical and subtropical regions around the world.

Its resilience and adaptability to different soil conditions further contribute to its widespread use in landscape design. However, it thrives best in warm climates and requires full sunlight to achieve its maximum blooming potential. While it can tolerate drought conditions once established, Delonix regia benefits from regular watering, especially during hot, dry periods.

In landscaping and urban environments, the Flamboyant tree is often planted in parks, gardens, and along streets to provide shade and enhance aesthetic appeal. Nevertheless, gardeners should note that the tree can be invasive outside its native range and may require management to prevent unwanted spread.

Overall, Delonix regia exemplifies nature’s brilliance through its dazzling floral display and graceful structure, playing a significant role in both ecological and horticultural settings. Its prominent presence in various parts of the world underscores its universal appeal and enduring popularity as a symbol of tropical beauty.

Common Names

Spa: acacia roja, flamboyán, árbol de fuego
Eng: royal poinciana, flamboyant, flame-of-the-forest, flametree, peacock-flower, flamboyant tree, flame tree, flamboyan, gold mohar, july tree, flamboyant poinciana
Por: flamboyant
Mlg: alamboronala, fannou, harongadra, hintsakinsan, hitsakitsana, kitsakitsabe, monogo, sarongadra, tanahou, tsiombivositra, volobara
Fra: flamboyan
En: Flamboyant, Royal Poinciana, Flame tree, Gold Mohar, Flame-of-the-forest, Flametree, Peacock-flower, Flamboyant Tree, Flamboyan, July Tree, Flamboyant poinciana
Ar: بونسيانا
As: কৃষ্ণচূড়া
Bn: কৃষ্ণচূড়া
Bg: Огнено дърво
My: စိန်ပန်းပင်
Ca: Delònix
Zh: 凤凰木, 鳳凰木
Nl: Flamboyant
Fi: Heloliekkipuu, Liekkipuu
Fr: Flamboyan
Ff: Chelen-ghi
De: Flammenbaum
El: Δηλόνιξ η βασιλική
Ht: Pye flanbwayan
He: צאלון נאה
Hi: गुलमोहर
Hu: Tűzvirágfa
Id: Flamboyan
Kn: ಗುಲ್ಮಹರ್
Ko: 봉황목
Mg: Alamboronala, Fannou, Harongadra, Hintsakinsan, Hitsakitsana, Kitsakitsabe, Monogo, Sarongadra, Tanahou, Tsiombivositra, Volobara
Ms: Pokok Semarak Api
Ml: ഗുൽ‌മോഹർ
Mr: गुलमोहर
Ne: गुलमोहर
No: Flamboyant
Or: କୃଷ୍ଣଚୂଡ଼ା
Pa: ਗੁਲਮੋਹਰ
Fa: دلونیکس رگیا
Pl: Wianowłostka królewska
Pt: Flamboyant
Ru: Делоникс королевский
Sd: گل مور
Es: Flamboyán, Acacia roja, Árbol de fuego
Sv: Flamboyant
Tl: Puno ng apoy
Zh-tw: 鳳凰木
Ta: செம்மயிற்கொன்றை
Te: తురాయి
Th: หางนกยูงฝรั่ง
To: ʻŌhai lahi
Zh-hant: 鳳凰木
Tr: Ateş ağacı
Uk: Вогняне дерево
Vi: Phượng vĩ
: Royal poinciana

Synonyms

• Caesalpinia regia ((Bojer ex Hook.) D.Dietr.)
• Delonix regia var. genuina (Stehlé)
• Poinciana regia (Bojer ex Hook.)
• Delonix regia var. flavida (Stehlé)

Distribution

• Madagascar (native)
• Andaman Is. (introduced)
• Angola (introduced)
• Assam (introduced)
• Bahamas (introduced)
• Bangladesh (introduced)
• Belize (introduced)
• Borneo (introduced)
• Burkina (introduced)
• Burundi (introduced)
• Cambodia (introduced)
• Cameroon (introduced)
• Caroline Is. (introduced)
• Cayman Is. (introduced)
• Chad (introduced)
• China South-Central (introduced)
• China Southeast (introduced)
• Christmas I. (introduced)
• Colombia (introduced)
• Comoros (introduced)
• Cook Is. (introduced)
• Costa Rica (introduced)
• Cuba (introduced)
• Dominican Republic (introduced)
• East Himalaya (introduced)
• Ecuador (introduced)
• Egypt (introduced)
• El Salvador (introduced)
• Ethiopia (introduced)
• Galápagos (introduced)
• Gambia (introduced)
• Ghana (introduced)
• Gilbert Is. (introduced)
• Guatemala (introduced)
• Haiti (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• India (introduced)
• Ivory Coast (introduced)
• Jamaica (introduced)
• Jawa (introduced)
• Kenya (introduced)
• Laos (introduced)
• Leeward Is. (introduced)
• Lesser Sunda Is. (introduced)
• Libya (introduced)
• Malaya (introduced)
• Maldives (introduced)
• Mali (introduced)
• Marianas (introduced)
• Marshall Is. (introduced)
• Mauritius (introduced)
• Mexico Central (introduced)
• Mozambique (introduced)
• Mozambique Channel I (introduced)
• Myanmar (introduced)
• Nauru (introduced)
• Nepal (introduced)
• New Caledonia (introduced)
• New Guinea (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• Nicobar Is. (introduced)
• Niger (introduced)
• Northern Territory (introduced)
• Oman (introduced)
• Pakistan (introduced)
• Panamá (introduced)
• Peru (introduced)
• Philippines (introduced)
• Puerto Rico (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• Rodrigues (introduced)
• Réunion (introduced)
• Society Is. (introduced)
• Solomon Is. (introduced)
• Somalia (introduced)
• Sri Lanka (introduced)
• Taiwan (introduced)
• Tanzania (introduced)
• Thailand (introduced)
• Togo (introduced)
• Trinidad-Tobago (introduced)
• Uganda (introduced)
• Venezuela (introduced)
• Venezuelan Antilles (introduced)
• Vietnam (introduced)
• West Himalaya (introduced)
• Western Australia (introduced)
• Windward Is. (introduced)
• Yemen (introduced)
• Zambia (introduced)
• Zaïre (introduced)
• Zimbabwe (introduced)

Additional Images

© 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.

Flower

Taken Jun 25, 2019 by Fabian Schult (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 21, 2019 by jugraj raj (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 29, 2013 by Mark Gasson (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 17, 2019 by MA Angela (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 26, 2021 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jun 29, 2020 by Eleftherios (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 9, 2021 by Jarosław Przybyła (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 4, 2022 by Erika Rosario Mori Figueroa (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 7, 2020 by Pragya Pragya Sharma (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 7, 2021 by ابراهيم السرحاني (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Dec 18, 2020 by Megan Hodges (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 16, 2022 by Colin Ft (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 9, 2021 by Thiago Flores Flores (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 29, 2020 by Daniel Grixti-Cheng (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 20, 2022 by annie Florentin (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken May 19, 2022 by Lorde Bo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 29, 2020 by Eleftherios (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 8, 2020 by Guy cany (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 29, 2021 by Fernando da Luz Schmidt (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 29, 2020 by Daniel Grixti-Cheng (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Oct 17, 2021 by paolo calcaterra (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 4, 2022 by Erika Rosario Mori Figueroa (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 31, 2017 by Andrew Gagg (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 22, 2021 by Sebben Renata (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 26, 2021 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Dec 16, 2020 by Pacheco Bruna (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 28, 2022 by Costa Raul (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 8, 2020 by Espinoza-Zevallos Marco Elías (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 8, 2020 by Espinoza-Zevallos Marco Elías (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 29, 2021 by Fernando da Luz Schmidt (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2956176)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:491231-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Delonix regia (Hook.) Raf.)

Specifications

Growth form: Multiple Stem

Growth habit: Tree

Growth rate: Rapid

Growth

Ph maximum: 7.0

Ph minimum: 4.0