Читать книгу Madeira - Susanne Lipps - Страница 21

In the Gardens

African Tulip Tree,

Flame of the Forest

Spathodea campanulata

Bloom time

All year round.

Characteristics

The decorative tree can reach a height up to 25 m (28 yd.). Its dark green leaves are pinnate. Round inflorescences are situated on the surface of the dense, spherical crown. The tulip-like flowers are coloured from orange to scarlet and are slightly curved towards the centre of the blossom cluster.

Site:

In the southern coastal area of Madeira you will frequently find the tree as an ornamen-tal plant up to an altitude of 200 m (220 yd.). It lines town roads and grows in gardens and parks. In Funchal you find some speci-mens in the Parque Santa Catarina (198), in the Avenida do Infante and in the Avenida Luis Camões that leads towards the hospital.

Interesting to know:

The tree is native to the African savannahs where, in contrast to Madeira, it sheds its leaves in the arid season. Today it is one of the most popular ornamental plants in all countries that correspond to its climatic requirements. It is a fast growing tree; the wood is hardly usable. The outer buds bloom first while the inner, brown and hairy buds still remain closed. Birds in search of nectar will land on the latter ones. On Madeira, pollination is not taking place.

21