Delonix Regia, Gul Mohr Tree
This post is the first in the series of Native Trees of Pakistan. In this post, I am writing about Delonix regia also known as Gul Mohr tree. (Buy seeds online).
Gul Mohr tree/ Delonoix regia, Photo © Yair Karelic
Delonix regia belongs to the Fabaceae family and is known for its showy flowers. In fact, it is one of the most striking ornamental trees. Locally Delonix Regia is known as Gulmohar or Gul Mohr tree – ‘Gul’ means flower and ‘Mohr’ is ‘peacock’ – the name suggests spectacular show of colorful flowers just like flamboyant colors of a peacock. The tree justified its name. Gul Mohr tree displays beautiful splashes of crimson, orange, red and yellow flowers throughout the flowering season. When in full bloom, the entire tree is later covered with a canopy of fern-like feathery leaves. French mention Delonix Regia as feur de Paradis and Flamboyant.
Flowers on a Gul Mohr tree, Photo © Saad Akhtar
Gul Mohr makes an excellent ornamental lawn tree because of its spectacular flowers and shady leaves. Usually Gul Mohr tree does not attain much height and grow to an average height of 12 meters but spreads widely – that is it makes a good shady tree. The seed pods are dark brown and are usually up to 60 cm long and 5 cm wide.
Delonix regia, Photo © Yair Karelic
How to Grow Delonix regia / Gul Mohr tree
Delonix Regia or Gul Mohr tree grows well in tropical or sub-tropical climate but can withstand drought and salty conditions too. Delonix regia is an evergreen tree except in areas of long drought or extremely dry season.
Gul Mohr tree, Photo © Yair Karelic
Delonix regia or Gul Mohr tree originally belongs to Madagascar from where it was taken to Mauritius and then to England from where its spread to most of the tropical countries.
What a gorgeous color! I love them. Thanks for sharing!
i like it great color
I love your website. We are staying in Hong Kong and there is a large Poinciana in bloom outside our block of flats and lots more in Victoria Park that we see every day when we go by in a taxi. My 8 year old daughter and I have been trying to find the tree’s name and found it on your site.
Thank you for the comments!
I don’t really agree with your translation of gul mohr, as peacock is ‘more’ and mohr could be a stamp or seal.Sorry for nit picking, the pics are excellent.Do you have a complete list with pics of all Pakistani trees with local and botanical names?
can i use the leaves for livestock feed especially rabbits, ? are leaves poisonous
I do not know if they would like it for food but it seems harmless. See http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/2755/#b
I would be thankful if some one furnish information and picture of Sundre tree.