GOLDEN Delonix!

The red flame tree (Delonix regia, Fabaceae) from Madagascar is considered one of the most beautiful trees in the world. Its fern-like foliage is deciduous, and in April this tree displays a red flame for a month. It grows fast, and can stand a drought without any problems. Such a tree can be obtained for free simply by picking seeds from any of the many downtown trees.

Now, there is a golden Delonix too!

This rare ornamental can not be propagated from seeds, it needs to be grafted by an experienced hand. Luckily we found a Thai teacher in biology who made ten specimens.  Dokmai Garden will take two, so eight are available for our readers in Chiang Mai. One potted plant costs 1900 Baht. Kindly send us an e-mail (info@dokmaigarden.co.th) if you wish to buy one too.

Eric Danell

A golden Delonix regia surprises any visitor.

 

The name of this variety is ‘Smather’s Gold. It is characterised by golden petals and a standard with orange streaks (unlike the much paler ‘Kampong Yellow’).