The Gulmohar Tree Explained

The gulmohar (Delonix regia), also called the flame tree, royal poinciana or krishnachura, is a fast-growing, umbrella-shaped tree known for the dazzling red-orange flowers that cover it in the Indian summer. It is not native to India; it comes from Madagascar and was brought to the subcontinent, where it became one of the best-loved ornamental and avenue trees.

Few trees mark the arrival of the hot season in Indian towns as clearly as the gulmohar, whose blazing crowns often bloom just as school and college exams end. This explainer covers what the gulmohar is, how to identify it, when it flowers, where it comes from, how it spread across India, and what its ecological role and drawbacks are. Information was last reviewed on 22 October 2026.

Key Takeaways

• The gulmohar, Delonix regia, is a flowering tree of the legume family that is native to Madagascar and widely planted in India as an avenue and ornamental tree.
• The gulmohar bears clusters of scarlet to orange-red flowers, each with four spreading petals and one larger, white-and-yellow-streaked petal, usually in the hot season before the monsoon.
• The leaves of the gulmohar are bipinnate and fern-like, made of dozens of tiny leaflets that give the tree a light, feathery look.
• The gulmohar is called krishnachura in Bengali and is closely linked in Bengal with spring and summer celebrations.
• Gulmohar trees grow quickly and give broad shade, but they have brittle branches and shallow, spreading roots that can lift pavements.
• The gulmohar is threatened in the wild in its native Madagascar, even though it is among the most commonly planted ornamental trees in the tropics.

What is the gulmohar?

The gulmohar is a medium-to-large flowering tree, botanically named Delonix regia, that is grown across tropical and subtropical countries for its brilliant flowers and wide shade. It belongs to the legume family, Fabaceae, the same family as the tamarind, the rain tree and the peas and beans.

The name gulmohar is commonly written gulmohur and is generally understood to be Persian or Hindustani in origin, with gul meaning flower; the exact etymology of the second part is explained in more than one way. English-speaking countries call the tree the flame tree, flamboyant or royal poinciana. In Bengal it is called krishnachura, while in Hindi and Marathi the name gulmohar is in everyday use.

How can you identify a gulmohar tree?

A gulmohar tree can be identified by its wide, flat-topped, umbrella-like crown, its fern-like leaves and, in season, its masses of red-orange flowers. Even when not in bloom, the delicate, feathery foliage and long, dark brown pods hanging from the branches are distinctive.

Leaves

The leaves are bipinnate, which means each large leaf is divided into many side branches, and each of those carries a row of tiny leaflets. A single leaf can be 30 to 50 centimetres long and bear hundreds of small leaflets. The tree often sheds most of its leaves for a short period in the dry season, though it may stay partly green in humid regions.

Flowers

Each flower has five petals: four spreading scarlet to orange-red petals and one larger, upright petal, called the standard, streaked and blotched with white and yellow or cream. Long stamens extend from the centre, and the flowers appear in large clusters at the ends of branches.

Pods and seeds

After flowering, the tree produces flat, woody pods that often reach 30 to 60 centimetres in length and turn dark brown as they mature. The pods can stay on the tree for a long time, and when they dry the seeds rattle inside them. Children in India have long played with the pods and flower petals.

When does the gulmohar bloom in India?

The gulmohar blooms in India mainly during the hot, dry months before the monsoon, roughly from March to June depending on region and local weather. In southern and coastal India flowering can begin earlier, while in the north peak colour usually comes in May and June.

During peak bloom the crown can be almost entirely covered in flowers, with petals carpeting the ground beneath. Individual trees may flower more or less heavily from year to year, and some trees flower a second time or irregularly, depending on rainfall and temperature. This timing is one reason the tree has become a symbol of summer and of the end of the academic year in many Indian cities.

Where does the gulmohar come from?

The gulmohar comes from Madagascar, the large island off the south-eastern coast of Africa, where it grew naturally in the dry deciduous forests of the west. It is now rare in the wild there, and conservation assessments treat the species as threatened in its native range because of habitat loss.

The tree’s decline in its homeland contrasts with its success as a planted tree elsewhere. Today the gulmohar grows in cities and gardens across Asia, Africa, the Americas and Australia, and it is the exotic ornamental that many people think of when they imagine an Indian summer, even though it is a visitor from another continent.

How did the gulmohar spread across India?

The gulmohar spread across India mainly through deliberate planting as an ornamental and avenue tree from the nineteenth century onward, during and after the colonial period. The tree was introduced to India by botanical gardens and then propagated widely by seed, since it grows easily from seed and reaches flowering size relatively quickly.

Municipal authorities, campus planners and railway and cantonment authorities favoured the tree because it grows fast, gives shade and provides a striking show of colour. It became a regular feature of avenues, school and university grounds, parks and housing colonies in cities from Kolkata and Mumbai to Chennai and Delhi. In Bengal, the krishnachura became closely linked with seasonal celebration and with Bengali poetry and song.

How is the gulmohar different from similar-looking trees?

The gulmohar differs from other flowering trees of the Indian summer in its red-orange colour, its fern-like leaves and its pod type. Several other trees, including the amaltas and the yellow gulmohar, bloom around the same time and are sometimes confused with it.

What is the ecological role of the gulmohar?

The gulmohar plays a limited but real ecological role in India, offering nectar and pollen to insects and some birds and giving shade and nesting sites in cities. Bees and other insects visit the flowers, and sunbirds and other nectar-feeding birds have been seen using the blossoms.

As a non-native tree, however, the gulmohar supports fewer native insects and caterpillars than many Indian trees, which is a reason why ecologists often recommend a mix of native species for city planting. The tree is not a serious invader in most of India, but in some other tropical countries it can spread from gardens into disturbed land.

The tree also has weaknesses. Its wood is relatively soft and its branches can break in storms, and its roots spread widely near the surface, so it can lift roads and pavements and is not ideal for narrow streets. Planners are therefore advised to give it space.

What are the uses of the gulmohar?

The gulmohar is used mainly as a shade and ornamental tree, but it also has minor uses as fuelwood, a source of seeds and a plant of traditional interest. The tree’s chief value is aesthetic and microclimatic, as the broad canopy cools streets and gardens in summer.

• Shade and beauty: avenues, campuses, parks and gardens use the gulmohar for its wide canopy and summer colour.
• Fuel: the soft, light wood is used for firewood and charcoal, but it is not valued as timber.
• Crafts and play: the dried seeds and pods are used in rattles, beads and children’s games.
• Folk medicine: parts of the tree appear in some traditional remedies, but these uses are not well established and should not be relied on as treatment.

How long does a gulmohar tree live?

A gulmohar tree usually lives for several decades, often around 40 to 60 years, which is shorter than the lifespan of long-lived Indian trees such as the peepal, neem or tamarind. Its rapid growth comes with relatively weak wood, and older trees are more prone to storm damage, rot and falling limbs.

In practice, cities often have to inspect and prune older gulmohars to keep roads and people safe, particularly before the monsoon. Replacing ageing trees with new plantings, including a mix of native species, is a common management approach.

What place does the gulmohar hold in Indian culture?

The gulmohar holds a place in Indian culture as a seasonal marker, a campus memory and a subject of poetry, songs and film. Because it blooms just as the academic year ends, the tree is strongly associated with exam season, summer holidays and farewells in school and college life.

In Bengal, the krishnachura appears in poetry and song as a symbol of the hot season and of passion. Elsewhere, writers and photographers regularly use the sight of fallen red petals on a road as an image of summer. As the gulmohar is a relatively recent arrival compared with trees such as the peepal or neem, it carries no ancient ritual role, and its cultural significance is mainly aesthetic and emotional rather than religious.

How is the gulmohar grown and cared for?

The gulmohar is grown easily from seed in warm, sunny conditions and needs well-drained soil, moderate watering while young and plenty of room to spread. The hard seed coat is usually scratched or soaked in water before sowing to help germination.

Young trees grow fast, often reaching several metres within a few years, and begin to flower after about four to five years, though timing varies. The tree dislikes frost and waterlogged ground. Pruning dead and weak branches before the monsoon reduces the chance of limbs falling in storms, and it is best to plant the tree at a safe distance from buildings, drains and boundary walls so that the surface roots do not cause damage. Fallen petals and pods need regular sweeping, which is one of the practical costs of keeping the tree in a compound.

Bottom Line

The gulmohar is a showy, fast-growing tree from Madagascar that has become one of the defining sights of the Indian summer and a favourite shade tree in towns and campuses. It brings colour and shade, but its soft wood and surface roots mean it needs space, and planners are increasingly pairing it with native trees.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the scientific name of the gulmohar tree?

The scientific name of the gulmohar is Delonix regia. It belongs to the legume family Fabaceae and is also called the flame tree, royal poinciana and krishnachura.

Is the gulmohar native to India?

No, the gulmohar is not native to India; it originates in Madagascar. It was introduced to India and widely planted as an ornamental and avenue tree, particularly from the nineteenth century onward.

When does the gulmohar flower in India?

The gulmohar flowers in India mainly in the hot season, roughly from March to June depending on the region. Southern and coastal trees often bloom earlier, while northern trees usually reach peak colour in May and June.

What is the difference between gulmohar and amaltas?

The gulmohar has red-orange flowers and fern-like leaves, whereas the amaltas (Cassia fistula) has hanging clusters of bright yellow flowers and long, cylindrical pods. The amaltas is native to India, and the gulmohar is not.

Why is the gulmohar called krishnachura in Bengal?

The gulmohar is called krishnachura in Bengali, a name usually understood to mean “Krishna’s crown”, likening the flower to an ornament associated with Krishna. The tree is strongly associated with summer and with Bengali literature and festivities.

Is the gulmohar a good tree to plant near houses?

The gulmohar is generally not ideal to plant very close to houses or narrow pavements, because its roots spread widely near the surface and its branches can break in storms. It does best in open spaces such as parks, campuses and wide avenues, where it has room to grow.

{“@context”:”https://schema.org”,”@graph”:[{“@type”:”FAQPage”,”mainEntity”:[{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”What is the scientific name of the gulmohar tree?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”The scientific name of the gulmohar is Delonix regia. It belongs to the legume family Fabaceae and is also called the flame tree, royal poinciana and krishnachura.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”Is the gulmohar native to India?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”No, the gulmohar is not native to India; it originates in Madagascar. It was introduced to India and widely planted as an ornamental and avenue tree, particularly from the nineteenth century onward.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”When does the gulmohar flower in India?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”The gulmohar flowers in India mainly in the hot season, roughly from March to June depending on the region. Southern and coastal trees often bloom earlier, while northern trees usually reach peak colour in May and June.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”What is the difference between gulmohar and amaltas?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”The gulmohar has red-orange flowers and fern-like leaves, whereas the amaltas (Cassia fistula) has hanging clusters of bright yellow flowers and long, cylindrical pods. The amaltas is native to India, and the gulmohar is not.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”Why is the gulmohar called krishnachura in Bengal?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”The gulmohar is called krishnachura in Bengali, a name usually understood to mean “Krishna’s crown”, likening the flower to an ornament associated with Krishna. The tree is strongly associated with summer and with Bengali literature and festivities.”}},{“@type”:”Question”,”name”:”Is the gulmohar a good tree to plant near houses?”,”acceptedAnswer”:{“@type”:”Answer”,”text”:”The gulmohar is generally not ideal to plant very close to houses or narrow pavements, because its roots spread widely near the surface and its branches can break in storms. It does best in open spaces such as parks, campuses and wide avenues, where it has room to grow.”}}]}]}