Family: Fabaceae

Native to savannah areas of Madagascar, Colvillea racemosa thrives in a xeriscape setting. The nitrogen-fixing tree produces orange cone-shaped flowers from summer to fall. They appear much later than other flowering flora. The autumn-like colors have been described as orange-colored velvet grapes. The foliage has a fern-like appearance with the pinnately compound leaves. However, the tree is bare of leaves in the winter months. The seed pods resemble another Madagascar native, Delonix regia. Introduced to Hawaiʻi in 1918 by Rock, this ornamental tree has stood the test of time and remains a well-behaved pono tree.

Plant Uses:

• Nitrogen fixer
• Ornamental
• Shade
• Specimen
• Woodworking

Plant Dangers:

• Allergenic
• Toxic to animals and humans

High Risk Traits:

• Climate adaptable (tropical/subtropical)
  
• Introduced widely outside native range
  
• Nitrogen-fixing (alters soil)
  
• Bird-pollinated (specialist potential)
  
• Intentionally planted/transported

Low Risk Traits:

• No naturalization or weediness
  
• Not toxic, spiny, or allelopathic
  
• No vegetative spread or thicket formation
  
• Large seeds; low dispersal potential
  
• Low seed production
  
• Slow-growing (>4 years to maturity)