El Delonix direction It is one of the most popular tropical/subtropical tree species in the world, and for obvious reasons: its size, its magnificent flowers, that wide parasol crown that provides excellent shade... all this makes it a highly desired plant. .
Furthermore, its maintenance is not difficult, as long as the weather is right, something it has in common with all its relatives: the members of the botanical family Fabaceae, or in popular language, the legumes.
What is its origin and its characteristics?
this fantastic tree He is originally from Madagascar, specifically from the dry forest, located in the north and on the edge of the western half of the island, where it is in danger of extinction due to loss of habitat. It is well known by the names flamboyan or flamboyán, flamboyant, sneak, tabachín, malinche, ponciana or acacia (but not to be confused with trees of the Acacia genus). It was described by Wenceslas Bojer and William Jackson Hooker and published in Tellurian Flora in the years 1836-7.
Its growth rate is fast, reaching a height up to 12 meters in a matter of a few years (in appropriate conditions, it grows at a rate of 1 meter per year or so). It has an open crown, parasolated, formed by highly branched branches from which leaves 30 to 50cm long sprout, composed of 20 to 40 pairs of green leaflets or pinnae, which are divided in turn by about 10-20 pairs. smaller secondary pinnae.
Blooms in spring, producing a large number of large flowers, up to 8cm long, with four petals, usually red, or yellow in the variety Delonix regia var. flavid. The fruits are dark brown woody legumes, up to 60cm long and 5cm wide. Inside it contains brown, oval, leathery seeds, less than 1cm long.
What uses does it have?
Delonix regia var. flavid // Image sourced from Flickr/jemasmith
El Delonix direction It is a plant that is used more than anything as ornamental, in large gardens. Planted as an isolated specimen it is a wonder. But it must also be said that bonsai can be made, although once this is the case it is rare for it to flower.
Likewise, in Mexico it is also used as medicinal: the macerated bark applied to relieve the pain of rheumatism, and the decoction of the flowers taken orally to treat cough and asthma.
What care do you need to live?
This is the question that many people are probably asking themselves, especially those who do not live in very hot climates . I asked myself this question once, well, several times actually. And for this fantastic plant to grow well, in health, needs frost-free climates. Sun, water, and lots of space.
Its roots are invasive, and its crown, being wide It “forces us” to plant it at a distance of about ten meters from walls, walls, lattices, pipes and so on. If there is not so much space available, it could be kept in pots (pots) for many years, trimming its branches, but the truth is that it is not a tree that is recommended to prune, as it does not usually look good.
The soil or substrate must be fertile, with good drainage, and as we said, it must be kept moist.… but without going to the extreme. The ideal is to water about 4 times a week in summer and about 2 a week the rest of the year, and take the opportunity to fertilize it throughout the warm season with guano in liquid form, for example, or compost.
It multiplies very easily by seeds, if they are subjected to thermal shock (1 second in boiling water and 24 hours in water at room temperature). Unfortunately, if the temperature drops below 10 degrees centigrade it loses its leaves, and if there are frosts of -2ºC or more, it suffers irreversible damage.