Yellow Poinciana / Copperpod

Peltophorum pterocarpum Backer ex K. Heyne

pel-TO-fo-rum    te-row-CAR-pum

Caesalpiniaceae (Legumes)

Key to Peltophorum (Vogel) Benth.

Synonym:  Peltophorum inerme (Roxb.) Craib         (WU2, GRIN)

Explanation of name: From Greek, pelte, shield, and phoreo which means to bear, referring to the shape of the stigmata. Pterocarpum means winged fruit.

Natural range: Asia (DEH, ISE, BA2)

Recognition: Tree.  Leaves bipinnately compound with 4-12 pairs pinnae each consisting of 10-15 pairs of  oblong leaflets, 1/2" to 1" long.  Flowers bright yellow, 1.5" wide, with crinkly petals.  Fruit flat wide legume, 4" long ( DEH, ISE, BA2, HOR)

Landscape uses: Specimen tree, shade tree, street tree ( HOR, CHR)

Notes: P. dubium leaflets are 1/4"-1/2"; P. pterocarpum leaflets are 1/2"-1"