AFRICAN TULIP TREE (Spathodea Campanulata)
The African Tulip Tree was introduced to Singapore in the 1910's from Uganda, Africa. It was brought into Singapore to be planted as roadside trees because of its colorful red flowers, and its ability to grow very rapidly, up to 6 ft a year. Unfortunately, growing quickly also means that the wood tends to be soft and brittle and the branches are likely to break in a strong wind. In addition, its shallow roots do not make this tree suitable for roadside planting. Unfortunately, by the time this was realized, the African Tulip has adapted so well to Singapore’s climate that it can now be found growing wild all over Singapore.
The flower buds form a ball-shaped cluster. Each brown banana-shaped flower bud is filled with water, forming a natural water pistol when squeezed. The outer buds bloom first before the inner ones. The tree blooms all year round and the flower lasts about 3 days. When the pod splits, it releases masses of winged seeds, a reason why it is among the first large trees to colonize wastelands. The split ripe pods has a woody, boat-shaped form and children use them in boat races, by placing the opened pods in a fast flowing drain. The seeds are edible. The soft, white timber is used in paper making. In West Africa, their homeland, the wood is used to make drums and blacksmith's bellows. The bark, flowers and leaves are used in traditional medicine in Western Africa.
The flower buds form a ball-shaped cluster. Each brown banana-shaped flower bud is filled with water, forming a natural water pistol when squeezed. The outer buds bloom first before the inner ones. The tree blooms all year round and the flower lasts about 3 days. When the pod splits, it releases masses of winged seeds, a reason why it is among the first large trees to colonize wastelands. The split ripe pods has a woody, boat-shaped form and children use them in boat races, by placing the opened pods in a fast flowing drain. The seeds are edible. The soft, white timber is used in paper making. In West Africa, their homeland, the wood is used to make drums and blacksmith's bellows. The bark, flowers and leaves are used in traditional medicine in Western Africa.