Spathodea

Family: Spathodea belongs to the family of Bignonias.

Common names: The tree is also known as the African Tulip tree.

Flowering period: It flowers in the Spring season.

Habitat: The African Tulip tree is native to Africa and grows well in moist and well-sheltered tropical environments.

Uses: Currently, Spathodea is most often grown as an ornamental plant because of its colourful flowers and plentiful canopy. Apart from its ornamental uses, Spathodea is also used in medicine to cure rashes and inflamed skin, along with low blood sugar levels, ulcers, diabetes and an eye condition called Glaucoma.

Key features: Spathodea is a large fast-growing tree native to tropical forests in Africa. The tree has a weak and brittle trunk but has attractive evergreen leaves that are divided into several small leaflets. Spathodea often develop large umbrella-like crowns if left undisturbed. In the spring season, the tree gives way to beautiful reddish-orange tulip-like flowers at the tips of its branches. These flowers then form greenish brown seed pods, with around 500 papery seeds found inside each pod.