Common Name:

General Information

Delonix decaryi is a deciduous tree growing up to 10 metres tall. The trunk is cigar-shaped[, ].
The tree is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials. It is sometimes grown in villages as a living fence.
Delonix decaryi is predicted to lose more than 30% of its habitat in the next 100 years (approximately three generations) due to climate change and charcoal production. Genetic-range studies also found that the loss in range is strongly correlated to genetic diversity, so this decline is likely to have a serious impact on the species. The plant is classified as 'Vulnerable' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Africa - southern Madagascar

Habitat

Dry, subarid shrubland and woodland; at elevations up to 500 metres[]. Dry, spiny forest and coastal bushland, often with Didieriaceae and succulent species of Euphorbia, growing on limestone and sand at elevations up to 260 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Vulnerable
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Tree
Height	8.00 m
Pollinators	Moths
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Species in this genus generally prefer a moist but well-drained soil in a sunny position[].
The plant is thought to be pollinated by moths due to its night opening flowers, white petals with long dark stamens and an upper petal with a narrow tubular nectariferous claw[].

Edible Uses

The seeds are reported to be edible[].

Medicinal

A poultice of the crushed leaves is put on a baby’s head in order to harden the skull[].

Agroforestry Uses:

Cuttings are often planted in villages as a living fence[].

Other Uses

A resin obtained from the plant is used as glue for sealing canoes[].

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

The trunks are sometimes hollowed out to make canoes[].

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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