Poinciana Regia – showing the spread. (Click on a photo to enlarge it)
This week’s Weekly Photo Challenge: Changing Seasons is quite different down here in the Southern Hemisphere where Summer has just begun.
In Brisbane we’ve had a spell of temperatures in the high 30’s. Last Thursday it was 39 degrees C in the shade on my deck. For those of you on the northern half of the globe that’s 101 degrees F. Mind you, in the south of Australia, snow fell in 2 states on that same day last week!!!!
The tree has few leaves when in bloom.
These beautiful poinciana trees herald the arrival of summer in Brisbane and they are at their most spectacular right now.
The tree, a native of Madagascar, has a lovely shape
The trees tend to be wider than they are tall – providing lots of shade in our hot weather.
The flower has 4 plain elongated petals and the colourful fifth petal is known as the standard.
Red petals everywhere.
Later on the flowers are followed by enormous 60-70 cm long black/brown woody bean pods (ie 24-28 inches long) which are decidedly unattractive and the trees are less picturesque at that stage. It’s a small price to pay though for these delightful flowers.
A wonderful flower.
This last photo is courtesy of Berthold Werner who has kindly released this photo into the public domain.
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brissiemaz 
Beautiful pictures – those flowers are fantastic!
They are gorgeous aren’t they! Thanks for dropping by 🙂
Mary, What a gorgeous tree. Familiar to all us Queenslanders! Maureen
Thanks Maur…..keep up the good work in the garden!
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gorgeous red petals! lovely photos you have!
Thank you so much. The flowers are beautiful, aren’t they?
Those are brilliant colors that just say, “Amazing!” Happy Holidays to you and your family.
Yes, you’re right, the tree is amazing! Thanks for stopping by and best wishes of the season to you and yours 🙂
I love the photo of the red petals. 🙂
These trees are in full bloom all around my district at the moment….they really are gorgeous. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment – I appreciate it 🙂
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Wow that tree is beautiful! Seeing the petals on the ground reminds me of the magnolia trees in the southern US…gorgeous when they are in bloom, and “messy” after they drop their flowers.
Thanks for your comment sued51 🙂 I just love these trees. 2 months ago we had the same sort of dispaly with our jacaranda trees…..the flowers are a lovely pale mauve colour. Must try to do a post about them next year.
oh my gawwd! love the colour. what a gorgeous tree and what a good job you have done in bringing this to us.
Thanks for stopping by….glad you like the poinciana tree. Thanks too for your kind comment 🙂
Beautiful!
Thank you. So glad you like the poinciana 🙂
amazing pictures 🙂
I’m pleased you like them….thanks for dropping by 🙂
What a stunning tree and such a brilliant colour. They look wonderful against the very blue sky. Makes a welcome change to the grey of Vancouver, Canada at the moment!
When I lived in England for a few years I missed the very blue sky and the poinciana flowers are so vivid it’s hard to stop photographing them!
I’m so glad you like them 🙂
Beautiful photos of a magnificent tree, the poincianas seem to be having a spectacular year. My poinciana is 8 years old and this is the first year it has been covered in blossom, other years it only had a few flowers. Love the first photo with the plumbago below and blue sky above
Glad you like the plants! 8 years is still quite young for a poinciana so you’re doing very well. Thanks for visiting 🙂
What a fabulous looking tree!
Thank you Terri 🙂 It’s easy to see why I like them !
They spread more impressivley than an oak.
Yes, they make a wonderful floral display that is followed by the leaves and lots of shade for hot Queenslanders 🙂 Thanks for stopping by and best wishes for the festive season!