flamboyan

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Flamboyan
• Flamboyant Tree
• July Tree
• Flame Tree
• Gold Mohar
• flame-of-the-forest
• peacock-flower
• royal poinciana
• Flame of the Forest
• May-flower Tree
• Poinciana

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Caesalpinia regia
• Delonix regia var. flavida
• Poinciana regia

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Fabales, it is classified under the family Fabaceae and specifically within the genus Delonix.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several regions of the African continent. In Northern Africa, it can be found growing in the territories of Egypt and Libya. Its presence extends further south into the West Tropical Africa region. Specifically, it is distributed throughout the countries of Burkina, Gambia, and Ghana. This widespread range demonstrates the adaptability of the species across varying tropical and subtropical environments.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Deloniox regia is characterized by a broad altitudinal distribution, ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum elevation of 1540 m AMSL, with a mean elevational occurrence of approximately 275 m AMSL. Regarding its preferred environmental settings, the species is frequently documented within "Área Antrópica" (anthropic areas), indicating a high degree of adaptability to landscapes modified by human activity, such as urban environments, gardens, and agricultural zones.

Elevational range max:

1540 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

275 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica

Genetics

The genetics of Delonix regia are characterized by specific cytological profiles that define its reproductive and evolutionary biology. The plant exhibits variation in its chromosome number, with documented counts of 24 and 28 chromosomes. Furthermore, it is classified by a ploidy level of 2, indicating that the species is primarily diploid.

Chromosome number :

24, 28

Ploidy :

2

Life history

The life history of Deloniidx regia is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons and establish a long-term presence in its ecosystem. As a phanerophyte, its reproductive buds are borne on aerial shoots well above the ground, a structural adaptation that supports its development into a large, canopy-forming tree. In terms of its foliage patterns, the species is categorized as evergreen, maintaining its leaves to sustain metabolic processes and photosynthetic activity throughout its life cycle.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Delonix regia is characterized by its robust growth form as a woody tree. It is a self-supporting, independent organism that does not function as a climber, vine, or liana, nor does it exhibit parasitic or epiphytic behavior, remaining strictly terrestrial in its habitat. The plant typically reaches a significant stature, with a height ranging from a minimum of 5 m to a maximum of 15 m, maintaining an average height of approximately 15 m. Its structural integrity is defined by its woody nature, supporting its development as a large, freestanding tree.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

15 m

Plant height min:

5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Delonix regia is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The plant exhibits a non-succulent morphology, lacking specialized water-storage tissues in its foliage. Its foliar dimensions are highly variable, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 0.5 cm to a maximum of 60 cm, while the leaf width fluctuates between 0.2 cm and 0.5 cm. Structurally, the plant possesses a stem with a mean specific density (SSD) of 519 mg/cm³, reflecting its wood density and internal structural integrity. Furthermore, despite belonging to a family often associated with symbiotic relationships, this species is not a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on external soil nutrient availability for its nitrogen requirements.

Leaf length max:

60 cm

Leaf length min:

0.5 cm

Leaf width max:

0.5 cm

Leaf width min:

0.2 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Stem specific density (SSD) mean:

519 mg/cm³

Succulence :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Delonix regia is driven by a biotic pollination syndrome, primarily utilizing insects, with bees playing a significant role in the process. The plant produces vibrant red flowers to attract these pollinators. Following successful fertilization, the plant develops a characteristic pod-type fruit. These pods vary in size, reaching a minimum length of 20 cm and a maximum length of 70 cm, with a width ranging from 3 cm to 7 cm. The fruits are dehiscent, meaning they split open to release the seeds. Each fruit contains a substantial quantity of seeds, typically ranging from 11 to 100 seeds per pod. The seeds themselves are relatively uniform, with a length between 20 mm and 25 mm and a width between 6 mm and 8 mm. In terms of mass, the individual seeds have a mean weight of approximately 0.4562135 g, with values ranging from a minimum of 0.32595 g to a maximum of 0.48232 g. While the natural dispersal mechanisms vary, the plant is also noted for its anthropochorous dispersal syndrome, where human activity aids in its spread.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

anthropochorous

Flower colour :

red

Fruit length max:

70 cm

Fruit length min:

20 cm

Fruit type :

pod

Fruit width max:

7 cm

Fruit width min:

3 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed length max:

25 mm

Seed length min:

20 mm

Seed mass max:

0.48232 g

Seed mass mean:

0.4562135 g

Seed mass min:

0.32595 g

Seed width max:

8 mm

Seed width min:

6 mm

Seeds_per_fruit :

11-100

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Delonix regia has 3 reported plant parts identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include flower, leaf, seed.

Flower

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
2. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology
3. Journal of basic microbiology

Leaf

1. Microbial pathogenesis

Seed

1. Phytochemistry

Chemicals

Delonix regia has 19 reported phytochemicals identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 3-Hydroxybenzoic acid, 4-HYDROXYBENZOIC ACID, 4-Hydroxycinnamic acid, CHLOROGENIC ACID, Condensed Tannins.

3-Hydroxybenzoic acid

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

4-HYDROXYBENZOIC ACID

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

4-Hydroxycinnamic acid

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

CHLOROGENIC ACID

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Condensed Tannins

1. Applied biochemistry and biotechnology

Flavonoids

1. Journal of basic microbiology

Gallic acid

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Glycosides

1. Journal of basic microbiology

M-COUMARIC ACID

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)

Phenols

1. Journal of basic microbiology

Activities

Delonix regia has 3 reported activities identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antifibrotic, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant.

Antifibrotic

1. The Journal of pharmacy and pharmacology

Antimicrobial

1. Microbial pathogenesis

Antioxidant

1. Microbial pathogenesis

Medicinal Uses

Delonix regia has 5 reported medicinal uses identified across 5 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include diabetic cardiomyopathy, left ventricular remodeling, malaria, salinity, salinity stress.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations