Species name: Spathodea campanulata Buch.-Ham. ex DC
International name: African Tulip Tree
IDN: Tulip Afrika
Minahasa: Pohon spoit, pohon bunga
Family: Bignoniaceae
Description
African tulip trees may grow to 30 m tall. They are native to tropical dry forests of Africa. They are introduced and become an invasive species to many places as an ornamental tree for the crimson campanulate flowers. Kids play the flower buds as waterguns. Nectar attracts birds and butterflies but it may kill bees.
The wood may only be good for boxes and toothpicks. It is too feeble to be utilized in construction purposes.
The Minahasans believe that the water table is close to the surface where the plant grows.
Taxonomic Sources
International Plant Name Index IPNI
Tagging: 309, 329, 368, 369, 370, 373, 378, 398, 399, 433, 526, 564, 565, 568a, 611.