African Tulip Tree

Seeds: 30  / Botanical name: Spathodea campanulata

New blossoms kept appearing from each bud for weeks

The evergreen African tulip tree (Spathodea campanulata) thrives as a container plant, reaching a height of up to two meters. After a few years, its canopy of dark green, pinnate leaves produces flower spikes on long stems. The spectacular blossoms of Spathodea campanulata open in waves, so that each flower changes repeatedly over several weeks. First, the outermost ring of flowers opens, revealing its orange to red petals with wavy, yellow edges. After two days, the outer flowers wither, and the next row of buds emerges. This continues the flowering for weeks. When pressed, the unopened flower buds of the African tulip tree release a jet of water, attracting bats in its native habitat for pollination.

Natural Habitat: The natural range of Spathodea campanulata extends along the African Atlantic coast from Ghana to Angola, and from there to Sudan and Uganda. However, it has now become a popular ornamental plant outside of Africa and has spread as far as South America.