African Tulip Tree
ExplorePlants
African Tulip Tree
spathodea campanulata
The African Tulip Tree (Spathodea campanulata) is a breathtakingly beautiful tropical tree famous for its large, fiery crimson-orange flowers that resemble tulips. Native to the tropical rainforests of West Africa, this fast-growing evergreen has been widely introduced across the globe as an ornamental and shade tree. While admired for its striking aesthetic appeal, it is also known for its aggressive growth and resilience, leading to its classification as a highly invasive weed in many Pacific islands, Australia, and parts of the Americas. The tree plays a vital role in its native ecosystem, providing food and shelter for various birds, bats, and insects. Its soft, hollow-prone wood and unique water-storing buds make it a fascinating subject for both ecologists and plant enthusiasts. However, its tendency to colonize disturbed areas rapidly demands careful management in non-native habitats. Spot a African Tulip Tree? Identify it instantly with the Snappit nature app.
Habitat: Typically found in tropical rainforests, forest edges, riparian zones, and disturbed agricultural lands.
Appearance
This medium-to-large tree typically reaches heights of 7 to 25 meters, boasting a stout, pale grey-brown barked trunk and a dense, rounded canopy. Its leaves are pinnate, arranged in opposite pairs, with dark green, deeply veined leaflets. The most striking feature is the terminal, cup-shaped inflorescence containing clustered, bright orange-red or crimson flowers with wavy, yellow-margined edges. Before blooming, the buds are horn-shaped, bronze-green, and filled with a watery liquid.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderLamialesFamilyBignoniaceaeGenusSpathodea
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Children in many tropical countries use the water-filled buds as natural water pistols, earning it the nickname 'fountain tree'.
Despite its beauty, the nectar and pollen of the African Tulip Tree are highly toxic to many species of stingless bees, making it an ecological hazard to native pollinators in introduced ranges.
The wood is extremely soft and light, historically used by native African communities to build drums, bellows, and lightweight canoes.
Special abilities
Ability
Hydric Bud Squirting
The unopened flower buds contain a pressurized watery sap that squirts out when squeezed, helping deter certain herbivores.
Ability
Rapid Canopy Colonization
Possesses an incredibly fast growth rate and wind-dispersed winged seeds, allowing it to rapidly outcompete native vegetation in disturbed soils.
Ability
Regenerative Sprouting
Capable of vigorous suckering and regrowth from root fragments or cut stumps, making it exceptionally resilient to physical damage.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 700-2500 cm
- Lifespan
- 40-100 years
Diet & Feeding
As a photoautotrophic plant, it produces its own energy by converting sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water into sugars via photosynthesis.
Primary Foods
- Sunlight
- Carbon Dioxide
- Water
- Soil Nutrients
Ecological connections
mutualism
Olive-bellied Sunbird
Cinnyris chloropygius
Pollinates the flowers while feeding on the abundant nectar.
mutualism
Western Honey Bee
Apis mellifera
Visits the open flowers to collect nectar and pollen, aiding in pollination.
competitor
Javanese Stingless Bee
Tetragonula iridipennis
The nectar of this tree is toxic to stingless bees, often killing them when they forage on it.
Traits
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Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
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Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify African Tulip Tree?
The easiest way to identify African Tulip Tree is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How long is African Tulip Tree?
700-2500 cm
How long does African Tulip Tree live?
40-100 years
What does African Tulip Tree eat?
As a photoautotrophic plant, it produces its own energy by converting sunlight, carbon dioxide, and water into sugars via photosynthesis.
Where is African Tulip Tree usually found?
Typically found in tropical rainforests, forest edges, riparian zones, and disturbed agricultural lands.
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