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Spathodea campanulata
Bignoniaceae FAMILY

Spathodea campanulata

Spathodea campanulata

Edibility
2/5
Medicinal
2/5

Safety & Hazards

The fruit is poisonous[1]. The kernels of the long, boat-shaped wood fruits are boiled to obtain a poisonous liquid used on the tips of arrows of hunters in Africa[1].

Cultivation Details

HabitSemi-deciduous Tree
GrowthFast

A plant of the tropics, where it is found at elevations up to 2,000 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 27 - 30°c, but can tolerate 23 - 34°c[2]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,300 - 2,000mm, but tolerates 1,000 - 2,400mm[2]. Prefers a position in full sun[1]. Grows best in a rich, deep soil, but plants are very tolerant of much poorer conditions[1, 2]. Plants are moderately tolerant of salty conditions[1]. Prefers a well-drained soil, but can tolerate poor drainage[2]. Established plants are very drought tolerant[1]. Prefers a pH in the range 5 - 7.5, tolerating 4.5 - 8[2]. Requires a position with shelter from strong winds - older trees especially develop brittle branches[3]. The tree is often grown as an ornamental. It reproduces aggressively, producing winged seeds that are wind dispersed. It has escaped from cultivation and proved invasive in many areas, where it has frequently become a nuisance in pastures and fields with perennial crops[4, 1]. A fast-growing tree, even in unfavourable conditions[1]. However, it has a superficial root system and brittle branches, making it unsuitable for use in windy sites[1]. Trimming the tree will help prevent branches from breaking and will also encourage deeper roots[1]. The tree sometimes produces vigorous suckers[1]. It is best not to plant it near houses or pavements[1].

Propagation

Seed - Cuttings Root suckers Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2026-02-20. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Spathodea+campanulata>

Pollinators

Data unavailable

References

  1. [1]Tropical and Subtropical Trees - A Worldwide Encyclopaedic Guide. — Barwick. M. · Thames & Hudson, London · 2004 · ISBN 0-500-51181-0 ↩︎A superb book, very concise and well written, giving a wealth of information on 400 or more species including descriptions, habitat, cultivation details and plant uses. A wealth of colour photographs bring each plant vividly to life.
  2. [2]Ecocrop — http://ecocrop.fao.org/ecocrop/srv/en/home ↩︎Basic information on a wide range of useful plants, plus details of environmental needs where available.
  3. [3]Dominica Botanic Gardens — http://www.da-academy.org/trees_shrubs.html ↩︎An on-line resource, providing top quality pictures and some basic information on various plants being grown at the Botanic Gardens, often including uses and habitat.
  4. [4]World Agroforesty Centre — http://www.worldagroforestry.org/ ↩︎An excellent online database of a huge range of trees giving very good information on each plant - its uses, ecology, identity, propagation, pests etc.
  5. [5]Protabase - Plant Resources of Tropical Africa. — http://www.prota.org ↩︎An excellent on-line database with detailed information on over 3,200 species of useful plants of Africa.
  6. [6]Cornucopia II — Facciola. S. · Kampong Publications, California. · 1998 · ISBN 0-9628087-2-5 ↩︎The second edition of an excellent guide to the edible uses of plants, though it does not give any details of cultivation etc.
  7. [PFAF]Plants for a Future — pfaf.org ↩︎