Delonix is a genus of flowering plants in the family Fabaceae, subfamily Caesalpinioideae.[4] It contains trees that are native to Madagascar and East Africa. By far the best known species is the Royal Poinciana (D. regia).
Delonix | |
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Royal poinciana (Delonix regia) | |
Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Rosids |
Order: | Fabales |
Family: | Fabaceae |
Subfamily: | Caesalpinioideae |
Genus: | Delonix Raf. (1837)[1] |
Type species | |
Delonix regia | |
Species | |
See text | |
Synonyms[3] | |
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The name of the genus is derived from the Greek words δηλος (delos), meaning "evident," and ονυξ (onyx), meaning "claw," referring to the petals.[5] The common name, poinciana, comes from a former genus of the same name in which the members of the current genus Delonix were classified along with plants now placed in the genus Caesalpinia.
12 species are accepted:[3]
Image | Scientific name | Distribution |
---|---|---|
Delonix baccal (Chiov.) Baker f. | Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia | |
Delonix boiviniana (Baill.) Capuron | Madagascar | |
Delonix brachycarpa (R.Vig.) Capuron | Madagascar | |
Delonix decaryi (R.Vig.) Capuron | Madagascar | |
Delonix edulis (H.Perrier) Babineau & Bruneau | Madagascar | |
Delonix elata (L.) Gamble | East Africa, southern Arabia east to western India | |
Delonix floribunda (Baill.) Capuron | Madagascar | |
Delonix leucantha (R.Vig.) Du Puy, Phillipson & R.Rabev. | Madagascar | |
Delonix pumila Du Puy, Phillipson & R.Rabev. | Madagascar | |
Delonix regia (Bojer ex Hook.) Raf. | Madagascar[6] | |
Delonix tomentosa (R.Vig.) Capuron | Madagascar | |
Delonix velutina (R.Vig.) Capuron | Madagascar |