Spathodea campanulata - African tulip tree

Spathodea campanulata, the African Tulip Tree, is an exceptional tropical tree, prized for its flamboyant orange-red flowering reminiscent of exotic tulips. Native to tropical Africa, it boasts a majestic habit and luxuriant foliage and grows rapidly in its native lands. Highly sensitive to cold and our long winters, it is reserved for collectors and enthusiasts of rare plants who can cultivate it with dedication in a heated greenhouse or a bright conservatory. Demanding in terms of warmth, sunlight, and humidity, it requires special attention but will reward you with an unforgettable botanical spectacle.

Spathodea campanulata, commonly known as the African Tulip Tree, is a tree from the Bignoniaceae family. Native to tropical Africa, particularly Gabon, it is also referred to as Flame of the Forest. It is widely cultivated in tropical regions for its spectacular flowering. This tree thrives in humid tropical climates, preferring temperatures between 20 and 30°C and high annual rainfall. It tolerates various soil types, provided they are well-drained, but is very sensitive to frost, limiting its cultivation to frost-free zones. After being introduced to many tropical regions for ornamental purposes, the African Tulip Tree has become invasive in some areas, specifically the Caribbean, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific, where it threatens local biodiversity.
Spathodea campanulata is a fast-growing tree, reaching heights of 10 to 35 metres in the ground, with a trunk up to 60 cm in diameter. In a pot, its size is naturally limited. Container-grown specimens typically reach 1 to 2 metres in height, depending on pot size and growing conditions. Larger specimens, 3 to 4 metres, develop in 75-litre containers. The African Tulip Tree has an upright habit with a dense, rounded crown. The leaves, measuring up to 50 cm in length, consist of 7 to 17 ovate, dark green leaflets with entire margins. They persist year-round. The highly conspicuous flowers are arranged in terminal clusters. They measure 10 to 12 cm in length, displaying orange to coral-red hues with yellowish edges and a tulip-like shape. Flowering is nearly continuous in humid tropical climates but more seasonal in regions with a pronounced dry season. In temperate climates, flowering typically occurs between May and August. The fruits, which form in the wild, are large, elongated capsules, reaching up to 30 cm in length, containing numerous winged seeds that disperse easily by wind. The bark is initially smooth and grey-brown, becoming fissured and darker with age. The root system is extensive, providing the tree with good stability.

Children in regions where the African Tulip Tree grows often use its fluid-filled flower buds as natural "water bombs," as they burst and release their contents when squeezed.

The African Tulip Tree (Spathodea campanulata) is a tropical tree whose cultivation is quite challenging in temperate climates. It can be grown in a conservatory or greenhouse, where temperatures do not drop below 10°C. Care must also be taken to ensure the air is not too dry. Ideally, temperatures should range between 20 and 30°C to encourage growth. In winter, using grow lights can provide additional light to prevent etiolation of the plant.