Royal Poinciana

Native to Madagascar, royal poinciana trees are known for their showy flowers. It is one of several trees known as "flame tree." The botanical name Delonix regia is derived from the Greek words delos (meaning conspicuous) and onyx (meaning claw), referring to their appearance. With four spoon-shaped petals about 3 inches long, and one slightly larger petal (called the standard), they resemble orchids, and range in color from deep red to bright orange. Yellow-flowering cultivars also exist. The flowers first appear in clusters between May and July, and can stay on the tree for a month or more.

A mature tree can resemble an umbrella, with a wider canopy than it is tall. The delicate, fern-like leaflets provide light shade. The bark is smooth and gray. While it's not sturdy in storms, judicious pruning can help prevent breakage, and the tree will often recover quickly after losing limbs.

In the Indian state of Kerala, royal poinciana is called kaalvarippoo, 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 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.