Delonix is a genus of flowering plants in the family Fabaceae, subfamily Caesalpinioideae. It contains trees that are native to Madagascar and East Africa. By far the best known species is the Royal Poinciana (D. regia).
The name of the genus is derived from the Greek words δηλος (delos), meaning "evident," and ονυξ (onyx), meaning "claw," referring to the petals. The common name, poinciana, comes from a former genus of the same name in which the members of the current genus Delonix were classified along with plants now placed in the genus Caesalpinia.
Species 12 species are accepted: Image Scientific name Distribution Delonix baccal (Chiov.) Baker f. Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia Delonix boiviniana (Baill.) Capuron Madagascar Delonix brachycarpa (R.Vig.) Capuron Madagascar Delonix decaryi (R.Vig.) Capuron Madagascar Delonix edulis (H.Perrier) Babineau & Bruneau Madagascar Delonix elata (L.) Gamble East Africa, southern Arabia east to western India Delonix floribunda (Baill.) Capuron Madagascar Delonix leucantha (R.Vig.) Du Puy, Phillipson & R.Rabev. Madagascar Delonix pumila Du Puy, Phillipson & R.Rabev. Madagascar Delonix regia (Bojer ex Hook.) Raf. Madagascar Delonix tomentosa (R.Vig.) Capuron Madagascar Delonix velutina (R.Vig.) Capuron Madagascar
Use These plants (collectively known as or ) release brown resin lumps that can be dissolved to make glue, or sucked as edible sweets among the Malagasy. Their seeds too are roasted and eaten as a snack in the south.
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