Edible : Seeds, Flowers,
A tree. It grows 25-30 m high. The bark is light grey. It forms buttresses. Leaves are opposite. The branches are rather short. In moist climates it may keep its leaves and in dry climates it may shed its leaves for a short time. The leaves are compound and divided into an odd number of leaflets. There are 9-19 pairs + one. The leaflets are oval and sword shaped. They have a long point. They are 5-10 cm long by 4-8 cm wide. The flower buds are velvety brown. They are in cone like masses at the ends of branches. The flowers are large and scarlet red. The flowers are wide and bell shaped. The fruit is a long, pointed woody pod. It is 20 cm long. It contains many winged seeds.
A tropical plant. It grows naturally in tropical Africa. It has been spread to all parts of the tropics. In Nigeria it grows up to 900 m above sea level. It grows in forest along river banks. It suits plant hardiness zones 11-12. In XTBG Yunnan.
Common names : African Tulip Tree, Ar-fri-ka-hyu-lit-pin, Arvore das chamas, Cafauano, Culasseque, Flame of the Forest, Flame tree, Fountain tree, Gabonski tulipovec, Hirunduni, Kibobakasi, Kifabakazi, Lujjekaye, Masamasa, Mukulukulu, Munsasa, Nandi flame, Neerukaye, Nsasa mpwatu, Panchut-panchut, Patade, Patadi, Patadiya, Piquerio, Pohon cahaya hutan, Pohon kecrutan, Rugtoora, Scarlet bell tree, Sebetaiyet, Squirt tree, Sula-selo, Suncunde, Teme, Tombo-lembei, Tulip tree, Tumbo-lembei, Zowa zowa,
Synonyms :
Bignonia tulipifera Schum.;
Spathodea nilotica Seemann;
Spathodea tulipifera (Schum.) G. Don;
and others