| a tree, Delonix regia, of the legume family, native to Madagascar, having showy clusters of brilliant scarlet flowers and long, flat, woody pods. |
| royal poinciana n. A tropical and semitropical tree (Delonix regia) native to Madagascar, having bipinnately compound leaves, clusters of large scarlet flowers, and long pods. Also called flamboyant, poinciana. |
royal poinciana
(species Delonix regia), strikingly beautiful flowering tree of the pea family (Fabaceae). Though native to Madagascar, it has been widely planted elsewhere in frost-free regions for its scarlet to orange flowers and its shade. It is a rapid grower, attaining a height of 6 to 12 m (20 to 40 feet) with pinnately divided (i.e., resembling a feather) leaves 30 to 60 cm (1 to 2 feet) long.
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