Spathodea


Spathodea is a monotypic genus in the flowering plant family Bignoniaceae. The single species it contains, Spathodea campanulata, is commonly known as the African tulip tree, fountain tree, pichkari or Nandi flame. The tree grows between tall and is native to tropical dry forests of Africa. It has been nominated as among 100 of the "World's Worst" invaders.
This tree is planted extensively as an ornamental tree throughout the tropics and is much appreciated for its very showy reddish-orange or crimson, campanulate flowers. The generic name comes from the Ancient Greek words σπαθη and οιδα, referring to the spathe-like calyx. It was identified by Europeans in 1787 on the Gold Coast of Africa.

Description

The flower bud is ampule-shaped and contains water. These buds are often used by children who play with its ability to squirt the water. The sap sometimes stains yellow on fingers and clothes. The open flowers are cup-shaped and hold rain and dew, making them attractive to many species of birds.

Flower anatomy

The African tulip tree flower produces large flamboyant reddish-orange flowers that have approximately five petals and are 8-15 cm long. The flowers are bisexual and zygomorphic. These are displayed in a terminal corymb-like raceme inflorescence. Its pedicel is approximately 6 cm long. This flower also has a yellow margin and throat. The pistil can be found at center of four stamens that is inserted on the corolla tube. This flower has a slender ovary that is superior and is two celled. The seeds of this tree are flat, thin, and broadly winged.

Species associations

In Neotropical gardens and parks, their nectar is popular with many hummingbirds, such as the black-throated mango, the black jacobin, or the gilded hummingbird. The wood of the tree is soft and is used for nesting by many hole-building birds such as barbets.

Geographic distribution

It has become an invasive species in many tropical areas such as Hawaii, Queensland, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, and the wet and intermediate zones of Sri Lanka.
Spathodea campanulata is a declared class 3 pest species in Queensland, Australia, under the Land Protection Act 2002.

Pests and diseases

In Uganda, two lepidopteran species, two termite species, and one bark beetle attack S. campanulata. In Puerto Rico nine insect species in the orders Hemiptera, Hymenoptera, Lepidoptera, and Thysanoptera have been reported as feeding on various parts of S. campanulata. The species is quite susceptible to butt and heart rot; wood of the tree rots quickly when in contact with the ground.

Common names

Footnotes