Delonix Regia, Gul Mohr Tree

This post is the first in the series of Native Trees of Pakistan. In this post, I am writing about Delonix regia also known as Gul Mohr tree. (Buy seeds online).

Gul Mohr tree/ Delonoix regia, Photo © Yair Karelic

Delonix regia belongs to the Fabaceae family and is known for its showy flowers. In fact, it is one of the most striking ornamental trees. Locally Delonix Regia is known as Gulmohar or Gul Mohr tree – ‘Gul’ means flower and ‘Mohr’ is ‘peacock’ – the name suggests spectacular show of colorful flowers just like flamboyant colors of a peacock. The tree justified its name. Gul Mohr tree displays beautiful splashes of crimson, orange, red and yellow flowers throughout the flowering season. When in full bloom, the entire tree is later covered with a canopy of fern-like feathery leaves. French mention Delonix Regia as feur de Paradis and Flamboyant.

Flowers on a Gul Mohr tree, Photo © Saad Akhtar

Gul Mohr makes an excellent ornamental lawn tree because of its spectacular flowers and shady leaves. Usually Gul Mohr tree does not attain much height and grow to an average height of 12 meters but spreads widely – that is it makes a good shady tree. The seed pods are dark brown and are usually up to 60 cm long and 5 cm wide.

Delonix regia, Photo © Yair Karelic

How to Grow Delonix regia / Gul Mohr tree

Delonix Regia or Gul Mohr tree grows well in tropical or sub-tropical climate but can withstand drought and salty conditions too. Delonix regia is an evergreen tree except in areas of long drought or extremely dry season.

Gul Mohr tree, Photo © Yair Karelic

Delonix regia or Gul Mohr tree originally belongs to Madagascar from where it was taken to Mauritius and then to England from where its spread to most of the tropical countries.