Delonix
Fl. Tellur. 2: 92. 1837.
Trees, unarmed. Stems spreading, puberulent. Leaves alternate, even-bipinnate; stipules present; petiolate; pinnae 11–20 pairs, opposite; leaflets 20–50[+], blade margins entire, surfaces puberulent or glabrate. Inflorescences 20–25-flowered, axillary to subterminal, racemes, corymblike; bracts present, caducous. Flowers caesalpinioid; calyx nearly actinomorphic, valvate, lobes 5; corolla scarlet and yellow; stamens 10, declined, slightly connate basally; anthers dorsifixed. Fruits legumes, stipitate, compressed, straight, oblong, dehiscent on ground, woody, glabrous. Seeds 20–40, slightly compressed, oblong. x = 14.
Distribution
Introduced; Florida, sw Asia, e Africa, Indian Ocean Islands (Madagascar), introduced widely.
Discussion
Species 11 (1 in the flora).
Delonix is a genus primarily of Madagascar, with nine species endemic there; one species is endemic to Ethiopia, northern Kenya, and Somalia, and one is widespread in east Africa, Arabia, and India.
Selected References
None.