ITP Logo

Delonix regia

Name and publication

Delonix regia (Bojer ex Hook.) Raf., Fl tellur. 2: 92 (1837).

Description

The mature fruits of flamboyant or royal Poinciana are bleached and called “step fruit” in the potpourri trade. The product known as “bitti leaves” appear to be immature fruits of this same species. Mature fruits are a 40-60 cm long x 4-7 cm wide, strap-like, woody, dark brown legume with seeds set horizontally. “Bitti leaves” are similar but papery, shorter, and easily broken.

Nativity and distribution

Delonix regia is native to Madagascar but widely cultivated in the tropics.

Family

Fabaceae (alt. Leguminosae), also placed in Caesalpiniaceae

Synonymy

Poiciana regia Bojer ex Hook.

immature fruits; photo copy; The Lebermuth Company, Inc.

immature fruits; photo © The Lebermuth Company, Inc.
mature fruit pieces; photo copy; The Lebermuth Company, Inc.

mature fruit pieces; photo © The Lebermuth Company, Inc.
immature fruit pieces, left two bleached, right one dyed pink; photo by Lyndon Photography

immature fruit pieces, left two bleached, right one dyed pink; photo by Lyndon Photography
immature fruit pieces, dyed purple, inner surface; photo by Christina Southwick

immature fruit pieces, dyed purple, inner surface; photo by Christina Southwick
immature fruit pieces, dyed purple, outer surface; photo by Christina Southwick

immature fruit pieces, dyed purple, outer surface; photo by Christina Southwick