Royal poinciana, the flamboyant flame

As I came out to the balcony of my sixth-floor house that early morning last month to tend to the potted plants, I saw tree-tops inflamed with red bright bursts all around. As a pleasant breeze was blowing and it was cloudy, the canopies of red flowers with streaks of orange and yellow presented a picture-perfect against the rumbling grey sky that soothed my mind with the outpouring of beauty of nature while I stood spell-bound.

Only the last Sunday evening when I was walking towards the 14th century Siri Fort in South Delhi for attending our literary group’s monthly poetry session, I happened to pass by an expanse of reddish flares kissing the sky. That was the famous Gulmohar Park, housing several dozens of this highly decorative tree, royal poinciana called in this region Gul-Mohar or the Royal Flower. The park is dotted with several dozens of this highly decorative tree. But the joy of standing there in the balcony of my house, I found, was not a treat less rewarding than the heavenly experience of walking around the Gulmohar Park, watching large fern-shaped leaves on widely spread out branches swaying with the wind in clusters of this magnificent tree covered with canopies of red bright flowers.

Like the flowering trees of apple, pears, almond, cherry, peach, apricot and plums beautify the parks, gardens and streets alike in the cooler regions, the trees of Gulmohar and Amaltas (Golden Shower) are the most beautiful gifts of the nature to the regions with hot climates. Gulmohar flowers bloom in scarlet red, orange and yellow colours amid fern-like bright green and large beautiful leaves which add to the décor of the tree. The botanical name of the tree is Delonix regia and for its bright scarlet red abundance of flowers it is also known as the ‘Flame of the Forest’, the peacock flower and also the paradise flower. For its beauty and the dense shade it provides with its thick and outspread foliage, Gulmohar tree is planted on pavements and roadsides apart from beautifying parks and gardens as an ornamental tree.

ENDEMIC TO MADAGASCAR

The tree is endemic to the western forests of Madagascar from where it has spread out to all tropical and sub-tropical regions of the world and has been adapted everywhere for its ornamental and other utilities. Over the centuries, as Gulmohar has deep-rooted itself in the Indian subcontinent’s soil, it has also influenced the psyche of the people. Such is the appeal of Gulmohar which is also called the flamboyant flame tree that it has inspired poets, painters, story-writers, artists and lovers.

Gulmohar or Royal Poinciana has become naturalised in many places like parts of southern Florida in the United States and become part of its culture. In Miami they have an annual festival to celebrate its flowering. In the US overseas territory of Puerto Rico in the north-eastern Caribbean, the town of Penuelas is known in Spanish as El Valle de los Flamboyanes or the Valley of the Poinciana Trees.

The tree is widely prevalent in other Caribbean islands where its pods are used for fuel and are interestingly called ‘woman’s tongue’ as they make a rattling noise when the wind blows through them. The tree owes the origin of its name Royal Poinciana to the Caribbean as it was named after an 18th century governor of the French West Indies, M. de Poinci. When I was posted to Kingston in Jamaica, the name of our gated community was Poinciana Place as there were a number of Royal Poinciana trees planted in the premises along with that of mangoes and ackee fruit.

DROUGHT TOLERANT

Gulmohar or Royal Poinciana grows from 18 to 40 feet in height and spreads wide from 12 to 18 feet. It is drought tolerant and can grow at the rate of 1.5 meters per annum taking about ten years to maturity for flowering. It is not only an easy bet for the town planners for its ornamental value, thick foliage, easy adaptability to the warm climates, low maintenance and fast growth, but is also environmentalists’ choice as it contributes to their efforts in soil conservation, reforestation of challenging sites and helps protect footings of rivers and channel banks. Its seeds yield ‘karanga’ fatty oil which is used in tanning industry and also in soap-making, illuminating and certain pharmaceutical preparations. The residual oil cake is used as poultry feed and as fertiliser. Like Amaltas, it also has medicinal usages like for rheumatism, anti-inflammation and flatulence. Natural dyes are made from its flowers.

With so many attributes, no wonder many regard this flamboyant flame tree in flower as the world’s most colourful tree. Thankfully, its bright flowers amid thick green foliage are not only painting living spaces across the world with their endearing colours, but also livening up many hearts and minds.

Bimal Saigal is a former Indian diplomat. He served as the second secretary at High Commission of India in Jamaica from 2004 to 2007