Flowering tree that “mimics feathers of flying phoenix” begins its flamboyant show

_{Delonix Regia sketched by Sai Kung artist Gary Yeung}

“The Earth has music for those who listen” — George Santayana

In May through July, Delonix Regia, commonly known as the flame tree, turns on its flamboyant show. Scarlet blossoms spread across the tree’s canopy, so it looks like a phoenix rising. Originally from Madagascar the tree can be seen almost everywhere in Hong Kong from urban parks to rural settings. In Sai Kung, there are some near the sports stadium that are beginning to flower beautifully.

Delonix Regia was introduced to Hong Kong in the first decade of last century. Its Chinese name is Phoenix Wood. This is thought to be because it was first planted at Phoenix Mountain in Macau. Also it relates to the poem, “Its leaves mimic the feathers of a flying phoenix; its flowers bloom like the crowns of a scarlet phoenix”. The flowers are scarlet, orange or russet, depending on soil conditions. Craftsmen who work with wood like the flame tree because the wood is soft and stretchable with distinctive patterns and its resin is water soluble. Don’t consume any part of a Delonix Regia because it is toxic.

A large deciduous tree, Delonix Regia has a broad trunk up to one metre in width. The crown is hemispherical branchlets spreading in distinct layers, like a giant bonsai. Up to 20 metres in height, the tree has rough, greyish bark. The petals are spoon-like while the upper petals show yellowish and whitish patches.

The flame tree blooms gorgeously in Hong Kong in May through July. August to October it develops fruits, large, curved and as long as a human arm. Inside there are 20 to 40 oblong yellowish seeds.

— Condensed from greening.gov.hk