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Tales in scarlet
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This ornamental tree, native of South Africa, can add colour to your garden
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PAINT IT RED The blood red flowers have abundant nectar, attracting bees and butterflies
Spathodea campanulata or the Tulip tree is a ornamental, belongs to the family Bignoniaceae from tropical Africa. It's popularly known as African Tulip tree, Foundation tree and the flame of the forest. Genus of one species of usually evergreen tree is grown for its bell-shaped flowers and large pinnate leaves and used as specimen tree in tropical areas.
Spathodea Campanulata is moderately branched, leafy tree with opposite pinnate leaves 18" long, each comprising 9-19 oblong to ovate leathery deep green leaflets. Terminal racemes or panicles of asymmetrical bell shaped, yellow-rimmed scarlet to blood red flowers that are two to four inches long, yellowish green inside are borne in summer. They have a crepe-like texture. Flowers are scented having abundant nectar attracting bees, birds and butterflies.
Water in unopened buds squirt out when squeezed. Large woody canoe-shaped 6" long seed pods release papery winged seeds. Trees grow up to 20 metres in height. They require moist garden moist soil. Water freely and when in growth apply a balanced liquid fertilizer every month. They are grown as avenue trees and specimen trees.
The name fountain tree originated because the soft buds contain doculiquid; by squeezing them they could be made to emit water; wood is very hard.
`Spathodoa' is a Greek word meaning `Spatha' referring to the ladle like shape of the calyx and campanulata describes the bell shape of the flower.
CHITRA RADHAKRISHNAN
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