Delonix floribundaAny one

[cagary]

The flowers of Delonix floribunda have always fascinated me. So different from the more common D. regia (or even D. regia 'flava') I finally found a seed source and now have 3 strong seedlings.

Does any one have this tree in their yard or at least know the conditions it likes to grow in?

Thanks!

[Fouquieria]

I know Tim Harvey who posts in here once in awhile had one bloom for him a couple of years back. I saved those images. I've had one in a pot for a number of years now. I like the bottle shape of the trunk and the bright yellow blooms alot. I'm leaning towards keeping mine in a pot and trying to encourage the bottle trunk. Since I only have one, I just don't want to chance losing it in the ground. I also have two seedling of the bush-sized Delonix pumila. I've lost these in the ground in the past, so for the present I'm keeping these in pots too. Tim, Peter, me and some others went in together and got some seed listed as Delonix velutina. I have six very young seedlings of this. Additionally, I have a Delonix elata in the ground. I've got my fingers crossed. I lost a lovely plant of this a few years ago. I think I have this newer one in a better spot. Here's hoping. I've had a Delonix decaryi in the ground for a number of years now. This is like the one at the Huntington in the xeric section. I almost lost it two years ago because I allowed some ice plant to grow around it during winter. It has managed to survive and thrive but it still is not as leafy as it was three years ago. I may also have what I think might be Delonix leucantha but I'm not sure. It is as tall as the D. decaryi but much wispier and willowy. It has a very thin trunk but is about seven feet tall.

I know Tim has a couple of other species like D. boiviniana which has the largest leaflets and maybe even D. tomentosa which is one of the rarest. You might want to contact him for more in-depth information.

[fastfeat]

According to GRIN, there are only four valid species in Delonix: D. decaryi, D. elata, D.floribunda, D. regia.

http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/exsplist.pl

I don't want to get into a battle over this genus; I'm no expert here. But does anyone have a good foliage comparison of the non-regia species? I've seen quite a few (young) plants at various locations that all seem to look pretty much the same to me, but called a variety of different names. How can one, for example, tell a young D. floribunda from D. decaryi?

Fullerton Arboretum has "Delonix adansoniodes" and D. floribunda listed as growing there, though, per GRIN, the first is a synonym of the latter. They have had young trees (at south end) grow for a couple of years, then either freeze back and resprout or else rot. A couple of young ones in with the Uncarinas are a couple of years old, made it through the real cold a year back. But I'm not positive which species these actually are.

[ariscott]

I have a different delonix, I think it is floribunda. It is nowhere near flowering though and I don't think it even got any leaves at the moment. I hope it will be back in the wet season. I will post when it does...

Regards, Ari

[Fouquieria]

Here's my Delonix decaryi that I inadvertently posted on Palmtalk as Delonix floribunda three years ago. It pretty much looks the same now, except it's not as leafy and the trunk is slightly thicker.

The term Delonix adansonioides is just sort of a generic term for any thick-trunked (Adansonia-like) Delonix.

D. J. Dupuy is sort of the guru for this genus. I have the book, the Leguminosae of Madagascar by Dupuy and others. In it he describes D. boiviniana, D. brachycarpa, D. decaryi, D. floribunda, two forms of D. leucantha, D. pumila, D. regia, D. tomentosa, and D. velutina.

In the most southern tip of Egypt through Somalia, the Arabian peninnsula, and into Pakistan and India one can find D. elata (the white Poinciana) which in India I guess they call Gul mohar. Another tree supposedly similar to this one is Delonix baccal found in Kenya. I guess the blooms are a peach color but I've never been able to find a photo of one.

[Fouquieria]

Here's a cool pic of some fat-trunked Delonix in Madagascar. Don't know which species they are. Delonix decaryi and Delonix boiviniana are supposed to be the two commonest I believe. Delonix floribunda is supposed to be rather rare.

[Peter]

Great shots and info Ron. As far as growing conditions Gary, they will take quite a bit of water in the summer, and will grow faster too if you water them. But definitely give them good drainage, and keep them dry in the winter or you can lose them to rot. The Huntington was selling D. boiviana last year and it looks like a winner. Its' a very vigorous grower with large leaflets-much different than the others. Not sure of it's cold tolerance but this year should be the test as I know at least one grower whos got it in the ground now.

[Eric in Orlando]

ILDIS also lists D. baccal, boiviniana, brachycarpa, tomentosa, and velutina.

We planted D. decaryi, D. elata, D. floribunda, and D. pumila in our Arid Garden this spring. They are in full sun, and well drained sandy soil with no irrigation, just natural rainfall.

I found this photo of Delonix adansonioides which is now D. floribunda on the web;

[Eric in Orlando]

Here's a cool pic of some fat-trunked Delonix in Madagascar. Don't know which species they are. Delonix decaryi and Delonix boiviniana are supposed to be the two commonest I believe. Delonix floribunda is supposed to be rather rare.

wow, what a great photo !

[Eric in Orlando]

Got some photos of our young specimens.

Delonix decaryi

D. elata

D. floribunda

D. pumila (thats a Moringa drouhardii behind it)

[MattyB]

Cool stuff guys. I've gotta go over to Ron's and get some tutorials about these neat Delonix you're all growing. Bizzare fatty trunks. Thanks for the pics and info.

[ariscott]

Hhmm... looking at Eric's pics, I think I might have Delonix decaryi. I will check whether mine has any foliage at the moment or not...

Regards, Ari

[Carlo Morici]

Hello Eric and all,

Is there any updates on the growth of those nice, uncommon Delonix?

Carlo