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Flora and Fauna
Poincianas are Inspired by Legends and Immortalized in Song
By Virginia Vickers Braun

Poincianas are often used as shade trees in parking lots. Unfortunately one drawback is extensive litter. They also attract birds, which causes another messy problem. (Photo by Virginia Braun)

So many beautiful trees were flowering in December that it was hard to decide which to feature. I especially liked the Tabebuia with its big pink blossoms and the Tipas, large, nondescript trees that I never noticed until they were suddenly covered with small yellow blossoms that soon littered the streets. But one of my favorites is the gracefully shaped Ponciana regia or Royal poinciana.

Known as the “grand dame” of the flowering trees, it is a tropical legume related to the mimosa tree. Poincianas are native to Madagascar but are found in warm climates everywhere. They are the official tree of Puerto Rico. Also known as peacock flower, Delonix regia, Flamboyant Tree, Flame of the Forest or Arbol de Fuego, the trees are noted for their showy scarlet and orange flowers, which bloom from late spring through midsummer.

Poincianas have a distinctive umbrella shape and often appear to be growing at an angle. Their domed canopies are formed by horizontally spreading branches composed of feathery, fern-like leaves. Sunlight filtering through the leaves provides a broken shade that allows grass and plants to grow underneath. A deciduous evergreen, poincianas generally grow to a height of 20-30 feet (6-9 meters) and have a canopy wider than their height. They like full sun, are very hardy, drought tolerant and can survive high winds. They can become a “showcase” tree in about 10 years and live 80 years. Large seed pods measuring two feet long dangle from their branches and are often used by children as rattles. In some places, the seed pods are burned as fuel.

In Costa Rica and throughout Central America, poincianas are connected to an Indian legend. They are known as “Malinche” after an Indian woman who was allegedly so beautiful that a Spanish commander fell in love with her and spared her people from death after the conquest. The beautiful trees have also inspired poems and songs. “Poinciana (Song of the Tree),” written by Buddy Bernier and composed by Nat Simon, was recorded by Bing Crosby in 1944 and subsequently by artists including Steve Lawrence, The Four Freshmen, Vic Damone, Glenn Miller, Dave Brubeck, Frank Sinatra, Nat King Cole, Johnny Mathis, The Ventures and Robert Goulet.

Poinciana (Song of the Tree)
Blow tropic wind, sing a song to the trees.
Trees sigh to me, soon my love I will see.
Poinciana your branches speak to me of love,
Pale moon is casting shadows from above.
Poinciana, somehow I feel the jungle heat,
Within me there grows a rhythmic savage beat.
Love is ev'rywhere, its magic perfume fills the air,
To and fro you sway, my heart's in time, I've learned to care.
Poinciana, though skies may turn from blue to gray,
My love will live forever and a day.
Poinciana, from now until the dawning day
I'll learn to love forever, come what may.

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