Delonix is a genus of flowering plants in the family Fabaceae, subfamily Caesalpinioideae.[1] It contains trees that are native to Madagascar and East Africa. By far the best known species is the Royal Poinciana (D. regia).
The name of the genus is derived from the Greek words δηλος (delos), meaning "evident," and ονυξ (onyx), meaning "claw," referring to the petals.[2] The common name, poinciana, comes from a former genus of the same name in which the members of the current genus Delonix were classified along with plants now placed in the genus Caesalpinia.
12 species are accepted:
| Image | Scientific name | Distribution |
|---|---|---|
| Delonix baccal (Chiov.) Baker f. | Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia | |
| Delonix boiviniana (Baill.) Capuron | Madagascar | |
| Delonix brachycarpa (R.Vig.) Capuron | Madagascar | |
| Delonix decaryi (R.Vig.) Capuron | Madagascar | |
| Delonix edulis (H.Perrier) Babineau & Bruneau | Madagascar | |
| Delonix elata (L.) Gamble | East Africa, southern Arabia east to western India | |
| Delonix floribunda (Baill.) Capuron | Madagascar | |
| Delonix leucantha (R.Vig.) Du Puy, Phillipson & R.Rabev. | Madagascar | |
| Delonix pumila Du Puy, Phillipson & R.Rabev. | Madagascar | |
| Delonix regia (Bojer ex Hook.) Raf. | Madagascar[3] | |
| Delonix tomentosa (R.Vig.) Capuron | Madagascar | |
| Delonix velutina (R.Vig.) Capuron | Madagascar | |
These plants (collectively known as Malagasy: fengoky or Malagasy: fengoka) release brown resin lumps that can be dissolved to make glue, or sucked as edible sweets among the Malagasy. Their seeds too are roasted and eaten as a snack in the south.[4]