Profuse-flowered Flame Tree (Delonix floribunda)

Yellow Flamboyant Yellow Poinciana Flamboyant à fleurs jaunes
#192C19
#739CC9
#262817
#D3E4F4
#EEF8F0

Delonix floribunda (Yellow Flamboyant) - Madagascar Ornamental Tree

Adorning the dry deciduous forests of western and southwestern Madagascar, the spectacular Delonix floribunda puts on a magnificent floral display. This deciduous tree is widely appreciated for its flat-topped crown that fills with brilliant yellow blooms in late spring.

Its swollen, trunk-like stem acts as a vital water reservoir, enabling the species to thrive in seasonally dry ecosystems. Although endemic to Madagascar, it is grown globally as a showy ornamental in tropical and subtropical climates.

Taxonomy

  • ∟ царство Plantae
  • ∟ division Tracheophytes (Vascular Plants)
  • ∟ subdivision Spermatophytes (Seed plants)
  • ∟ Angiosperms
  • ∟ mesangiosperms (Core angiosperms)
  • ∟ eudicots
  • ∟ Superrosids
  • ∟ rosids
  • ∟ order Fabales
  • ∟ family Fabaceae
  • ∟ subfamily Caesalpinioideae
  • ∟ genus Delonix (Flamboyant tree)
  • ∟ species Delonix floribunda (Profuse-flowered Flame Tree)

Living Pulse

Powered by iNaturalist

Morphology

Growing up to 12 meters in height, this deciduous tree features a characteristic swollen, cigar-shaped trunk and an umbrella-like canopy. The leaves are paripinnately compound, typically bearing 12 to 20 pairs of small leaflets on each pinna.

The bright yellow flowers are arranged in dense, flat-topped racemes and often emerge before the new leaves appear. Each blossom is highly conspicuous, with petals that form a cup-like shape to attract native pollinators.

Its fruit is a large, flat, dark brown woody legume that can reach up to 30 centimeters in length. The pod contains numerous ellipsoidal seeds measuring approximately 7 to 9 millimeters in length.

Flowering season

Late spring

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Name
Dec

Applications

Cultivators around the world grow this species as a striking ornamental tree in parks and large gardens due to its vibrant yellow floral displays. The tree performs best in rich, well-draining soils in warm temperate to tropical zones.

Propagation is primarily achieved through seeds, which require scarification to break their hard outer dormancy. In its native regions, the wood is sometimes harvested locally for timber or fuel, though it is not a major commercial source.

Interesting facts

The primary pollinator of this tree is the Souimanga sunbird (Cinnyris sovimanga), which feeds on the nectar produced by the yellow blossoms. Unlike the red flamboyant, its flowers frequently appear directly on the bare branches before the foliage emerges.

Geography of distribution

  • Madagascar

Sources

Technical Information

External Databases: GBIF, POWO, Tropicos

See also

White gulmohar

White gulmohar

Delonix elata

A medium-sized deciduous tree known for its striking cream-colored flowers that fade to yellow, native …

Read more →