Delonix regia （Boj.） Raf (flame tree)

Family leguminosea

A megaphanecophyte native to Madagasikara, the Delonix regia (Boj.) Raf (flame tree) is well adapted to all-year-round warm climate in Taiwan and is widely planted. Its brightly red flowers are really an eye catcher. When they fully bloom in June and July, the tree tops are so red, seeming to be on fire. It has bipinnate compound leaves and flat pods about 50 centimeters in length. When the dry pods are shaked, its seeds inside will give off rattling sounds, serving as crude and simple musical instruments. When not flowering, it looks rather like falcate-leaved albizia, except that the latter has no pinnate leaves. There is a small community of flame trees at the right-side entrance of Niaosong Wetland Park mixed with several falcate-leaved albizia. Can you tell them apart?

　　Source of Pictures: Self-shot Pictures