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Spathodea campanulata P. Beauv.
| Family Name: | Bignoniaceae |
| Synonyms: | Spathodea nilotica |
| Common Name: | African Tulip Tree, Panchot, Flame of the Forest, Fountain Tree, Fire Tree, Fire Bell, Nandi Flame, Gabon Tulip Tree, Syringe Tree, Pancut-Pancut |
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Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Tree (Medium (16m-30m)) |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Oval |
| Maximum Height | 15 m to 25 m |
| Maximum Plant Spread / Crown Width | 10 m to 15 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Tropical Africa |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Secondary Rainforest, Disturbed Area / Open Ground) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Food (Herb or Spice) Others: Medicinal: Bark and leaves have anti-bacterial properties, used in traditional medicine in Ghana to treat wounds and burns. Leaves reported to have anti-malarial action. Stem-bark decoctions exhibit blood sugar lowering action in mice. Timber: Soft white wood used to make paper, drums and blacksmith's bellows. Products: Seeds boiled to extract poison that is applied to arrowheads. Children use flowers as water pistols, and opened seedpods as toy boats. Culture: Tree believed in some parts of Africa to possess magical propeties. Twigs used as wands by witch doctors. Flowers placed on people's doors to symbolize evil. |
|---|
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | General |
| Thematic Landscaping | Naturalistic Garden |
| Usage Hazard - Cons | Invasive / Potentially Invasive, Weak Branches |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Fauna Pollination Dispersal Associated Fauna | Bird-Attracting |
|---|---|
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) (Vertebrates (Bird), Vertebrates (Bat)) |
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Abiotic (Explosive Dehiscence) |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Fast |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Fertile Loamy Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
| Maintenance Requirements | Moderate |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Stem Cutting, Root Cutting |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Raised / Sunken Veins |
| Foliar Type | Compound (Odd-Pinnate) |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Opposite |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Oval, Oblong) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 3.0 (Tree - Intermediate Canopy) |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Trunk Type (Non Palm) | Woody |
|---|---|
| Bark Colour(s) | Light Grey |
| Stem Type & Modification | Woody |
| Root Type | Underground (Tap Root, Fibrous Root) |
| Mature Bark Texture Remarks | Warty |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Orange, Red |
|---|---|
| Inflorescence Type | Raceme |
| Flower Lifespan on Plant | [Remarks] ( ) |
| Flower Lifespan on Plant - Remarks | 3 days |
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Brown |
|---|---|
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | Dehiscent Dry Fruit , Capsule |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1839 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 3132 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
