Editing Delonix regia

{{Short description|Species of flowering plant in the bean family Fabaceae}}
{{Redirect|Gulmohar|the films|Gulmohar (2009 film)|and|Gulmohar (2023 film)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2021}}
{{Speciesbox
|image = Royal Poinciana.jpg
|image_caption = Tree in full bloom ([[Florida Keys]])
|status = LC
|status_system = IUCN3.1
|status_ref = <ref name="iucn status 12 November 2021">{{cite iucn |author=Rivers, M. |date=2014 |title=''Delonix regia'' |volume=2014 |page=e.T32947A2828337 |doi=10.2305/IUCN.UK.2014-1.RLTS.T32947A2828337.en |access-date=12 November 2021}}</ref>
|genus = Delonix
|species = regia
|authority = ([[Wenceslas Bojer|Boj.]] ex [[William Jackson Hooker|Hook.]]) [[Constantine Samuel Rafinesque|Raf.]]
|synonyms = *''Delonix regia'' var. ''flavida'' <small>Stehle </small>
* ''Delonix regia'' var. ''genuina'' <small>Stehle </small>
* ''Delonix regia'' var. ''genuina'' <small>Stehlé </small>
* ''Poinciana regia'' <small>Hook. </small>
* ''Poinciana regia'' <small>Bojer </small>
|synonyms_ref=<ref>{{cite web |title=''Delonix regia'' (Bojer ex Hook.) Raf. |url=https://www.worldfloraonline.org/taxon/wfo-0000166389 |date=2025 |website=World Flora Online |publisher=The World Flora Online Consortium |access-date=8 February 2025 }}</ref>
}}

'''''Delonix regia''''' is a species of [[flowering plant]] in the bean family [[Fabaceae]], subfamily [[Caesalpinioideae]] native to [[Madagascar]]. It is noted for its fern-like leaves and flamboyant display of orange-red flowers over summer. In many tropical parts of the world it is grown as an [[ornamental tree]]. It is a non-nodulating [[legume]].

Although its country of origin was unknown, it had been in widespread cultivation for centuries. Finally, in 1932, a natural colony was discovered on the west coast of [[Madagascar]] by J. Leandri.<ref>{{cite book | last1= Everard | first1= Barbara |last2= Morley | first2= Brian | date= 1970 | title= Wildflowers of the World | location= New York |publisher= G.P. Putnams Sons | page= Text to plate 113 }}</ref>

== Common names ==
Its common names include "[[flame tree (disambiguation)|flame tree]]" (one of several species given this name), '''peacock flower''',<ref name=WoA>{{citation |url=https://keyserver.lucidcentral.org/weeds/data/media/Html/delonix_regia.htm |title=Weeds of Australia |access-date=24 October 2024}}</ref> '''royal poinciana''',<ref name=WoA/> '''flamboyant''',<ref name=WoA/> '''phoenix flower''',{{citation needed|date=May 2022}} '''flame of the forest'''.{{citation needed|date=October 2024}} The name ''poinciana'' comes from a genus it was once placed in named ''[[Caesalpinia#Taxonomy|Poinciana]]'' after [[Phillippe de Longvilliers de Poincy]], a French noble who once governed the Caribbean island of [[Saint Kitts]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rice |first1=Diana |date=8 May 1938 |title=Poinciana Trees on the Island of St. Kitts--Belgium's Coast--Swiss Rail Fares |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1938/05/08/archives/notes-for-the-traveler-poinciana-trees-on-the-island-of-st.html |newspaper=The New York Times |page=171}}</ref>

== Description ==
''Delonix regia'' is a medium-sized deciduous tree that grows to about {{cvt|10|m|ft|abbr=on}}. The bark is light brown.  Often creased at branches, it has prominent [[lenticel]]s.<ref name="P_Krishen06"/> The foliage of one branch is made of 8-25 or more pairs of pinnae, each pinna is lined with 30-60 or more opposite leaflets. One leaflet is oblong with a length of 4-12 millimetres, it is dark green with a dull upper surface and a paler, greyish bottom.<ref name="KB"/>{{rp|466–467}}

{{gallery|mode=packed
|File:Bark of Delonix regia2.jpg|Close up of bark
|File:Gulmohar leaves closeup.JPG|Close-up of part of a leaf
}}

The flowers are large, with four spreading scarlet or orange-red petals forming a diameter up to {{convert|8-11|cm|in|0|abbr=on}} long, and a fifth upright petal called the standard, which is slightly larger and spotted with yellow and white. They appear in [[corymb]]s along and at the ends of branches.<ref name="KB"/>{{rp|466–467}} The naturally occurring variety ''flavida'' ([[Bengali language|Bengali]]: ''Radhachura)'' has yellow flowers.<ref name="Burke2005">{{cite book|last=Burke|first=Don|title=The complete Burke's backyard: the ultimate book of fact sheets|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=MMMjW6AuzHAC&pg=PA269|access-date=9 March 2011|date=1 November 2005|publisher=Murdoch Books|isbn=978-1-74045-739-2|page=269}}</ref>

The pods are green and flaccid when young, then turn dark-brown and woody as they mature. They can be up to {{convert|60|cm|in|abbr=on}} long and {{convert|5|cm|in|0|abbr=on}} wide. The seeds are small, weighing around {{convert|0.4|g|gr|abbr=off}} on average. The compound (doubly pinnate) leaves have a feathery appearance and are a characteristic light, bright green. Each leaf is {{convert|30|-|50|cm|in|abbr=on}} long with 20 to 40 pairs of primary leaflets or pinnae, each divided into 10–20 pairs of secondary leaflets or pinnules. Pollen grains are elongated, approximately 52 [[micrometre|μm]] in size.{{citation needed|date=November 2020}}

In [[India]], the trees are bare during the winter months from December to February. New leaves start to form in March–April.  Flowers start to appear in April, reaching full bloom in May.  Fruit pods are present for many months.<ref name="P_Krishen06">{{Cite book |last=Krishen |first=P. |title=Trees of Delhi: A Field Guide |publisher=[[DK (publisher)|Dorling Kindersley (India)]] |year=2006 |isbn=978-0-14400-070-8 |location=Delhi |pages=296–7 |language=English}}</ref>

{{gallery|mode=packed
|File:2014.01-413-0528+529+530 flamboyant(Delonix regia(Fabaceae - Caesalpinioideae) Moshi,TZ tue21jan2014-1051h.jpg|Frontal, lateral and rear views of a flower
|File:Gulmohar2.jpg|Pollen grains of ''Delonix regia''
}}

==Distribution==
''Delonix regia'' is endemic to [[Madagascar dry deciduous forests|Madagascar's dry deciduous forests]], but has been introduced into tropical and sub-tropical regions worldwide. In the wild it is [[endangered species|endangered]], but it is widely cultivated elsewhere and is regarded as naturalised in many of the locations where it is grown.<ref name="P_Krishen06"/>

===Africa===
Trees are planted along streets and villages within Madagascar as an ornamental.<ref name="KB">{{cite journal |last1=Puy |first1=David J. Du |last2=Phillipson |first2=Peter B. |last3=Rabevohitra |first3=Raymond |title=The Genus Delonix (Leguminosae: Caesalpinioideae: Caesalpinieae) in Madagascar |journal=[[Kew Bulletin]] |date=1995 |volume=50 |issue=3 |pages=445–475 |doi=10.2307/4110322|jstor=4110322 |bibcode=1995KewBu..50..445P }}</ref>{{rp|467}} Aside this, it is present in several Southern African countries such as [[South Africa]], [[Zimbabwe]], [[Malawi]], [[Zambia]] and [[Namibia]].<ref name="iucn status 12 November 2021"/>

===North America===
[[File:Yellow poinciana full bloom 20110518.jpg|thumb|''Delonix regia ''var.'' flavida'' is a rarer, yellow-flowered variety<ref name="Burke2005"/>]]
In the continental United States, it grows in [[South Florida]], [[Central Florida]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/st228|title=ENH387/ST228: ''Delonix regia'': Royal Poinciana|last1=Gilman|first1=Edward F.|last2=Watson|first2=Dennis G.|name-list-style=amp|work=ufl.edu|date=2019-04-24}}</ref> in the [[Rio Grande Valley (Texas)|Rio Grande Valley]] of [[South Texas]] and can be found planted as far north as [[Houston]]. [[Hawaii]] is another location where the species is grown. It also grows in humid parts of [[Mexico]], especially in the southwest states like [[Campeche]], [[Chiapas]], [[Oaxaca]], [[Tabasco]], [[Veracruz]], and [[Yucatán]].

===Caribbean and Central America===
In the Caribbean it is featured in many [[Dominican Republic|Dominican]] and [[Puerto Rico|Puerto Rican]] paintings. It can also be found in [[Belize]], [[The Bahamas]], [[Costa Rica]], [[Cuba]], [[Haiti]], [[Honduras]], [[Nicaragua]], the [[United States Virgin Islands|U.S. Virgin Islands]], [[Sint Maarten]], [[Trinidad and Tobago]], the [[Cayman Islands]], [[Grenada]],{{citation needed|date=May 2021}} [[Jamaica]], [[Curaçao]], [[Dominica]], [[Saint Vincent and the Grenadines]] and [[Saint Lucia]]. It is the national flower of [[St. Kitts and Nevis]]. It can also be found in [[Bermuda]]. The town of [[Peñuelas, Puerto Rico]], located about {{convert|12|mi|km|disp=or|sp=us}} west of [[Ponce, Puerto Rico|Ponce]], is nicknamed ''El Valle de los Flamboyanes'' ("The Valley of the Poinciana Trees"), as many flamboyant trees are found along the surrounding [[Río Guayanes]], [[Río Macana]], and [[Río Tallaboa]] rivers.

===South America===
It grows in [[Paraguay]] and [[Brazil]].<ref name="iucn status 12 November 2021"/>

===Europe and the Middle East===
[[File:New_Borg_El_Arab_City_5.jpg|thumb|''Delonix regia'' ([[New Borg El Arab]], [[Egypt]])]]
''Delonix regia'' is planted in Mediterranean parts of Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, including the [[Costa del Sol|southern coast of Spain]], the [[Comunidad Valenciana|Valencian coast]], the [[Canary Islands]], [[Lebanon]], [[Egypt]], [[Iran]],{{citation needed|date=May 2021}} [[Israel]], [[Jordan]], [[Cyprus]] and [[Saudi Arabia]].

===Indian subcontinent===
[[File:Gulmohar MDR700 Theppakadu Mudumalai Apr24 A7C 10869.jpg|thumb|Flowering trees, [[Theppakadu]], [[Tamil Nadu]], India]]
The tree is planted in India, where it is referred to as the ''May-flower tree'', ''Gulmohar'' or ''Gul Mohr''.<ref name="India">{{cite book |title=Flowering Trees and Shrubs in India |edition=Sixth |last=Cowen |first=D. V. |year=1984 |publisher=Thacker and Co. Ltd. |location=[[Bombay]] |page=1}}</ref> In [[West Bengal]] and [[Assam]] it is called ''Krishna Chura'' (কৃষ্ণচূড়া), while its known as ''Nianbānā/Krushnachuṛā'' (ନିଆଁବାଣ/କୃଷ୍ଣଚୂଡ଼ା) in Odisha. In [[Sri Lanka]] it is known in [[Sinhala language|Sinhala]] as the ''Maara tree'', although for a short while it was known as the ''Lamaasuriya tree'' after Le Mesurier, the British civil servant who was responsible for introducing it as a shade tree.<ref>{{cite news|last=Devendra|first=Tissa|url=https://island.lk/lamasuriya-trees/|title=Lamasuriya trees|work=Island Newspaper|location=Colombo|date=2020-11-03}}</ref> It is also grown in [[Karachi]], [[Pakistan]]. In [[Mauritius]] and [[La Réunion]] it announces the coming of the new year.

In [[Bangladesh]] it is known as krisnachura (কৃষ্ণচূড়া). You can find this tree in various places in Bangladesh. It is found all over [[Dhaka]] City and is one of the iconic symbols of the Bengali month of [[Boishakh]]. In [[Nepal]] it is known as Shirish.

===Southeast Asia===
In [[Myanmar]], where it is called ''sein pan'' ({{linktext|စိန်ပန်း}}), the time of flowering is March in the south and early to late April in the north. It is planted in gardens and as a roadside tree. In Myanmar, this tree is a sign of the [[Thingyan|Thingyan Festival]] (13–16/17 April). In the [[Philippines]], its flowering signals the imminent arrival of the [[monsoon rains]]. It also grows in [[Thailand]] and [[Indonesia]]. In [[Vietnam]] it is called "phoenix flower" and mostly grows in [[Haiphong]]. In [[Malaysia]], it is called "Semarak", which used to be the name of a street in the country's capital city, [[Kuala Lumpur]], now renamed as [[Jalan Sultan Yahya Petra, Kuala Lumpur|Jalan Sultan Yahya Petra]] where one of the oldest and highest ranked Malaysian universities, the [[University of Technology Malaysia]]'s Kuala Lumpur campus is located. "Semarak Api" is also the official flower of the [[Sepang District|Sepang]] district.

===East Asia===
It grows in Southern [[China]] such as in [[Hong Kong]]. It is the official tree in [[Tainan City|Tainan]], [[Taiwan]]; [[Xiamen]], [[Fujian Province]], and [[Shantou]], [[Guangdong Province]], People's Republic of China. [[National Cheng Kung University]], a university located in Tainan, included royal poinciana on its emblem.

===Australia===
It is very widely grown in Northern [[Australia]], in the southern extremes previously limited to South East [[Queensland]] where it is a popular street tree in the suburbs of [[Brisbane]]. It blooms successfully in [[Sydney]] and other parts of [[New South Wales]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Delonix regia – Royal Poinciana |url=https://theseedvine.com.au/product/delonix-regia/#:~:text=Delonix%20regia%20is%20a%20fast,towns%20of%20New%20South%20Wales. |access-date=2024-08-18|language=en-AU}}</ref>

===Micronesia===
It grows in [[Guam]], and is the official tree of the [[Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands]].

==Cultivation==
===Required conditions===
The royal poinciana requires a tropical or near-tropical climate, but can tolerate drought and salty conditions. It thrives in open, free-draining sandy or loamy soil enriched with organic matter. The tree does poorly in heavy or clay soils, and flowers more profusely when kept slightly dry.

===Propagation===
====Seeds====
[[File:Royal Poinciana Tree Seeds.JPG|thumb|Seeds after soaking in water for 6 days]]
The royal poinciana is most commonly propagated by seeds. Seeds are collected, soaked in warm water for at least 24 hours, and planted in warm, moist soil in a semi-shaded, sheltered position. In lieu of soaking, the seeds can also be "nicked" or "pinched" (with a small pair of scissors or nail clipper) and planted immediately. These two methods allow moisture to penetrate the tough outer casing, stimulating germination. The seedlings grow rapidly and can reach {{convert|30|cm|in|abbr=on}} in a few weeks under ideal conditions.

====Cuttings====
Less common, but just as effective, is propagation by semi-hardwood cuttings. Branches consisting of the current or last season's growth can be cut into {{convert|30|cm|in|abbr=on}} sections and planted in a moist potting mixture. This method is slower than seed propagation (cuttings take a few months to root) but is the preferred method for ensuring new trees are true to form. As such, cuttings are a particularly common method of propagation for the rarer yellow-flowering variety of the tree.

===Uses===
In addition to its ornamental value, it is a useful shade tree in tropical conditions, because it usually grows to a modest height (mostly {{convert|5|m|ft|round=5|abbr=on|disp=or}}, but it can reach a maximum height of {{convert|12|m|ft|round=5|abbr=on|disp=or}}) but spreads widely, and its dense foliage provides full shade. In areas with a marked dry season, it sheds its leaves during the drought, but in other areas it is virtually evergreen.

==Cultural significance==
''Delonix regia'', natively called the ''[[gulmohar]]'' ({{Langx|hi|गुलमोहर|gulamōhara|the seal of the flower}}) is the [[List of Indian state trees#Union territories|state tree]] of [[Delhi]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Delhi: Area, Population, Languages and Other Details |url=https://dashamlav.com/kb/india/states-union-territories/delhi/ |access-date=1 December 2023 |work=Dashamlav |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210613021437/https://dashamlav.com/kb/india/states-union-territories/delhi/ |archive-date=13 June 2021}}</ref>

In the Indian state of [[Kerala]], royal poinciana is called ''kaalvarippoo'' ({{lang|ml|കാൽവരിപ്പൂവ്}}, {{Transliteration|ml|kālvarippūv}}) which means "the flower of [[Calvary]]". There is a popular belief among [[Saint Thomas Christians]] of Kerala that when [[Jesus]] was crucified, there was a small royal poinciana tree nearby his [[Christian cross|Cross]]. It is believed that the blood of Jesus Christ was shed over the flowers of the tree and this is how the flowers of royal poinciana got a sharp red color.<ref name="ThomasThomas1984">{{cite book|last=Thomas|first=Annamma|title=Kerala Immigrants in America: A Sociological Study of the St. Thomas Christians|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_M13GwAACAAJ|year=1984|publisher=Simons Printers|page=34}}</ref> It is also known as ''Vaaga'' in many areas of Kerala.

Its blossom is the national flower of [[St. Kitts and Nevis]],<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.stkittsnevis.net/governed/page5.htm | title=How We Are Governed, St. Kitts & Nevis - National Symbols | access-date=6 January 2018 | archive-date=1 October 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181001132334/http://www.stkittsnevis.net/governed/page5.htm | url-status=dead }}</ref> and in May 2018 the royal poinciana was adopted by the city of [[Key West]] as its official tree.<ref>{{cite news|last=Filosa|first=Gwen|url=https://www.flkeysnews.com/news/local/article211245829.html|title=It's invasive and filled with bugs. It's also pretty, and now Key West's official tree|work=FL Keys News|date=2018-05-16}}</ref> Known locally as {{lang|ms|semarak api}}, ''Delonix regia'' is the city flower of Sepang, [[Selangor]], Malaysia.<ref>{{cite web |title=Bunga Rasmi Mpsepang |url=https://www.mpsepang.gov.my/bunga-kebanggaan-mpsepang/ |website=Portal Rasmi Majlis Perbandaran Sepang |access-date=6 December 2019}}</ref>

In Vietnam, this is a popular urban tree and is called {{lang|vi|Phượng vỹ}}, or "phoenix's tail". Its flowering season is May–July, which coincides with the end of the school year in Vietnam. Because of this timing, the flower of poinciana is sometimes called the "pupil's flower". The tree is also commonly found on school grounds in Vietnam; however, after several incidents where a tree fell onto students, with one student killed, schools started cutting down or severely pruning the trees.<ref>{{cite web|date=8 June 2020|title='Don't kill 'em all,' experts urge as schoolyard trees 'massacred' following fatal middle school accident|work=Tuoi Tre News |url=https://tuoitrenews.vn//news/features/20200608/dont-kill-em-all-experts-urge-as-schoolyard-trees-massacred-following-fatal-middle-school-accident/54985.html}}</ref> [[Hải Phòng]] is nicknamed {{lang|vi|Thành phố hoa phượng đỏ}} ("City of red poinciana").

The song "[[Poinciana (song)|Poinciana]]" was inspired by the presence of this tree in [[Cuba]].<ref>{{cite book| first=Gary| last=Giddins| title=Bing Crosby: Swinging on a Star: the war years, 1940-1946| year=2018| publisher=Little Brown & Co| location=NYC| isbn=978-0316887922}}</ref><ref>[[Ted Gioia]], ''The Jazz Standards: A Guide to the Repertoire'' p. 337 2012 "... 1996 Poinciana Composed by Nat Simon, with lyrics by Buddy Bernier And what exactly, you ask, is a Poinciana? ... They based the song on a Cuban folk tune named "Cancion del Arbol", which translates as—yes, you guessed it!"</ref>

In South India, these trees are common in schools, so children used to play with the stamens of the bud.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Muthuramalingam |first=Vivek |date=2017-05-10 |title=A Memoir of Trees |url=https://medium.com/@drvivekm/a-memoir-of-trees-6dd9fd7fdf2a |access-date=2024-05-29 |website=Medium |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Shilpa |date=2011-05-11 |title=REFLECTIONS: Summer memories |url=https://shilps882.blogspot.com/2011/05/summer-memories.html |access-date=2024-05-29 |website=REFLECTIONS}}</ref>

==References==
{{Commons category}}
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* [http://www.floridata.com/ref/d/delo_reg.cfm Floridata data base]
* ARKive – [https://web.archive.org/web/20060507053639/http://www.arkive.org/species/GES/plants_and_algae/Delonix_regia/ images and movies of the flame tree ''(Delonix regia)'']

==External links==
* [https://eurekamag.com/newsearch.php?search=Delonix+regia Scientific information about ''Delonix regia'']
* {{cite book |url= https://erdb.denr.gov.ph/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/denr_v4.pdf |author=Ecosystems Research and Development Bureau |title=DENR Recommends |volume=4, Guidelines for the Establishment of Forest Parks |publisher=Government of the Philippines}}
* {{AfricanPlants|Delonix regia}}

{{Taxonbar|from=Q238486}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Delonix|regia]]
[[Category:Endemic flora of Madagascar]]
[[Category:Ornamental trees]]
[[Category:Decorative fruits and seeds]]
[[Category:Taxa named by Wenceslas Bojer]]
[[Category:Taxa named by William Jackson Hooker]]
[[Category:Taxa named by Constantine Samuel Rafinesque]]