Common Name:

General Information

Delonix baccal is a tree with an umbrella-shaped crown; it can grow 6 - 18 metres tall[].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a source of wood. This species would be a fine ornamental for more or less arid places. The flowers are particularly attractive with four petals that are almost white with salmon claws, and a fifth petal that is bright yellow, filaments yellow and anthers orange)[].
Although it has a large range, Delonix baccal is known to be rare where it occurs and its habitat is under little protection and is being degraded by a variety of threats. The population is severely fragmented and there is continuing decline in the extent and quality of the habitat which is probably causing a population decline. The plant is classified as 'Near Threatened' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

East tropical Africa - Ethiopia, Somalia, northern Kenya

Habitat

Commiphora-Acacia deciduous bushland; white limestone slopes with shallow soil; valleys on steep rocky slopes; escarpment edge with granite, gneisses and schist exposed; white or yellowish sandy or loamy soils; at elevations from 300 - 1,080 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Near Threatened
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Tree
Height	12.00 m
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Species in this genus generally prefer a moist but well-drained soil in a sunny position[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

Species in this genus generally have large, woody seedpods that are used locally for fuel[]. The pods of this species are 15 - 24cm long and 25 - 35mm wide[].

The wood is used locally for making various household items, being carved into mortars for grinding grain, household containers, camel bells, coffee bowls and milk jugs[].
The wood of species in this genus is generally soft, coarse-graned and not durable[].

Propagation

Seed - it has a hard seedcoat and may benefit from scarification before sowing in order to speed up and improve germination. This can usually be done by pouring a small amount of nearly boiling water on the seeds (being careful not to cook them!) and then soaking them for 12 - 24 hours in warm water. By this time they should have imbibed moisture and swollen - if they have not, then carefully make a nick in the seedcoat (being careful not to damage the embryo) and soak for a further 12 hours before sowing.
Cuttings
Air layering.

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