Royal Poinciana
Delonix regia
Royal Poinciana
Urban Forest Tree Walk
Scientific name:
Delonix regia
Where to find it:
This many-branched, broad, spreading, flat-crowned deciduous tree is well-known for its brilliant display of red-orange bloom, literally covering the tree tops from May to July. There is nothing like a royal Poinciana (or better yet, a group of them) in full bloom.
The fine, soft, delicate leaflets afford dappled shade during the remainder of the growing season, making royal poinciana a favorite shade tree or freestanding specimens in large, open lawns. The tree is often broader than tall, growing about 40 feet high and 60 feet wide. Trunks can become as large as 50 inches or more in diameter. One to two-feet-long, dark brown seed pods hang on the tree throughout the winter, then fall on the ground in spring creating a nuisance.
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