Spathodea campanulata (African Tulip Tree)

A slender tree, which can grow up to 30 ft but is often kept smaller in gardens. It has dark green compound leaves and frequently produces clusters of large, tulip-shaped flowers at the ends of the branches. The most common flower color is bright red-orange, with a yellow border on the petals; there is also a rarer, pure yellow variety. The blooms are followed by long, boat-shaped pods that open to release masses of winged seeds. Spathodea grows rapidly from seed (those of the yellow-flowering variety do not, however, breed true) and prefers full sun, though it tolerates a wide range of conditions and poor soil. The wood tends to be brittle and, on taller specimens, breaks easily in strong winds. See Article about Spathodea.