CSIR-NEERI Biodiversity Portal

GULMOHAR

Delonix regia

Botanical name	: Delonix regia (Bojer) Raf.
Synonym	: Poinciana regia
Vernacular name	: Gulmohar/ Flame Tree
Family	: Fabaceae -(Cesalpiniodeae) Pea family
About the Tree	: The gulmohar is a medium-sized, fast growing deciduous tree. Sometimes, roots close to the trunk are exposed to provide additional support to the trunk. These are called 'buttresses'. The tree has a clear bole (portion of the trunk that is devoid of branches) Gulmohar is native to Madagascar. Is now common all over in India, but rare in the wild. It is widely cultivated and may be seen adorning avenues.
Height	: 9 - 15 m
Bark	: The bark is smooth, pale grey. A characteristic feature is that there are creases or folds in the bark, especially where the branches fork out.
Leaf	: The leaves are compound and feather- like (twice-divided or bipinnate).About 30.5-50.8 cm long. Each leaf is made of 10- 25 pairs of primary leaflets (pinnae), with each pinna having 16-30 oppositely arranged Secondary leaflets pinules).
Flower	: The flame-colored flowers are formed in dense clusters and bloom seasonally, usually in midsummer. The individual flowers are between 8 and 15 cm in diameter and have four spoon shaped spreading scarlet or orange-red petals (4-7 cm long) and one upright slightly larger petal (the standard) which is marked with yellow and white.
Fruits	: The dark brown pods are flat and woody, up to 70 cm long and 7 cm wide. They contain between 18-45 yellowish to dark brown seeds that are about 2 cm long.
Season	: Flowering begins in late April and over by June. Fruit pods persist till March or April.
Medicinal Properties	: It is noted for its fern-like leaves and flamboyant display of flowers.
Peculiar Character	: In many tropical parts of the world it is grown as an ornamental tree and in English it is given the name Royal Poinciana.