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Spathodea
campanulata P. Beauv.
Synonym : Bignonia tulipifera Schum.
Family
: Bignoniaceae
Local Names
: Thannirkayyamaram, Fountain
tree, Scarlet bell tree
Flowering
and fruiting period:
November – May
Distribution: Native in Tropical
Africa
Habitat: Planted as an avenue
tree, also as shade tree in coffee plantations
IUCN
status:
Least concern
Endemic: No
Uses: 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. Soft white wood used to make paper, drums and
blacksmith's bellows. Seeds boiled to extract poison that is applied to
arrowheads.
Key
Characters:
Spathodea campanulata are trees with bark smooth, light brownish-grey. Leaves
imparipinnate, opposite, decussate; lamina
elliptic-oblong, margin entire. Flowers bisexual, bright red, in
terminal racemes; calyx, spathaceous, golden
