I thought the Kapok tree was a pretty interesting flowering tree until I came across the Flamboyant tree. Although there is no cotton to cultivate from the blooms (unlike the Kapok tree). The dried seeds of the Flamboyant flowers are used to make a musical instrument called the maracas.
I love this photo from Brazil, taken by Flávio Cruvinel Brandão via Flickr. The yellow variety is in the background and you can see more of the red Flamboyant tree’s flowering in front.
The tree is also called Peacock Flower, Flame of the Forest, and Royal Poinciana. The color of the flowers range in vibrant yellow, orange to red.
The Flamboyant tree (scientific name - Delonix regia) is a threaten native tree from Madagascar. Though vulnerable in the wild, the tree is successfully grown today in many tropical areas as ornamental trees. They are also commonly found growing in the Caribbean, Argentina and Brazil.
