Poinciana
Delonix regia, Fam. Caesalpiniaceae
Deciduous, spreading tree to 12m high, horizontal branching forming a broad dome-shaped canopy. May be buttressed and has a strong root system.
| Weed Category: |
Other invasive plants Invasive plants that are not prohibited or restricted invasive plants, but are known to spread readily and cause negative impacts, within the region.
|
| Weed: | Yes |
| Form or habit: | Med tree |
| Family: | Caesalpiniaceae |
| Leaf: | Compound Alternate Compound, alternate, fern-like bipinnate, 300-500mm long with 10-25 pairs of pinnae, each with 10-32 pairs of elliptical leaflets, 4-12 x 2-5mm, light green and minutely hairy on both surfaces. |
| Flower conspicuous: | Conspicuous |
| Flower colour: |
White, Yellow, Red, Orange |
| Flower description: | Large somewhat orchid-like, about 150mm in diameter with 5 sub-equal petals, bright orange to deep red or with some petals, especially the upper longer one, white or yellow and blotched with red; borne in axillary racemes. Flowering usually begins while trees are in the deciduous phase. |
| Fruit conspicuous: | Conspicuous |
| Fruit colour: |
Brown |
| Fruit: | Dry |
| Fruit description: | Persistent, brown, flat woody pods, 200-500 x 35-55mm, containing 20– 40 dark brown or black seeds, 17-20mm long. |
| Habitat: | |
| Distribution | |
| Food source for: | |
| Toxicity: | No toxicity known |
| Origin: | Madagascar |
| Notes: | Spread by: local dispersal of seeds; pods distributed by floodwaters, garden waste and in contaminated forest mulch. Invades/threats: coastal communities, especially close to previous or present human habitation. Notes: used as an ornamental shade tree in streets, parks and gardens. Environmental weed. |
| Information sources: | Mackay Regional Pest Management Group (2018) Weeds of the Mackay Whitsunday Region Second Edition. |
