Family: Fabaceae
Origin, Description & Uses: Delonix velutina is a species of flowering tree in the legume family (Fabaceae) that is native and endemic to northern Madagascar. It typically grows as a medium‑sized tree with bipinnate (feathery) leaves and pale yellow flowers, and produces long woody seed pods as part of its reproductive cycle. While not as widely known as its relative Delonix regia (the flamboyant tree), D. velutina is appreciated for its ornamental value in tropical landscaping and reforestation efforts, where its shade and attractive foliage add ecological and aesthetic benefits. In its native range, the wood and other parts of the tree may be used locally, though detailed traditional uses are limited.
Risks, Threats & Management: Delonix velutina is currently classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List and is known from only a few small, fragmented populations in northern Madagascar. The main threats to this species are unsustainable harvest for wood, habitat loss, and charcoal production, which put intense pressure on its wild populations. Conservation actions in its native range include efforts to restore and monitor wild stands, protect habitat, and provide alternative wood sources for local communities to reduce harvesting pressure. Because it is endemic and threatened in Madagascar, management focuses on in‑situ conservation rather than concerns about invasiveness elsewhere; it is generally regarded as low risk outside its native habitat when planted ornamentally.
High Risk Traits:
- Congeneric Weed: A closely related species (Delonix regia) is documented as invasive and weedy in multiple locations (Barbados, Christmas Island, Australia).
- Allelopathic (Potential): The congener D. regia exhibits strong allelopathic properties that suppress understory plants; this potential is unknown but concerning for D. velutina.
- Persistent Seed Bank (Potential): The congener D. regia can form a seed bank lasting 2-3 years, suggesting a similar potential for D. velutina.
- Nitrogen-Fixing: As a member of the Fabaceae family, it can alter soil conditions, potentially facilitating further invasion.
- Coastal Habitat: Its native habitat near the coast suggests propagules could potentially be dispersed by water.
Low Risk Traits:
- Specialist Pollinator: Adapted to pollination by sunbirds; its success outside its native range would depend on the presence of similar pollinators.
- No Evidence of Naturalization: Has not been recorded as naturalized beyond its native range in Madagascar.
- Not a Weed: There is no evidence of it being an agricultural, environmental, or disturbance weed.
- Critically Endangered & Rare: The species is critically endangered in its native habitat, with very few known individuals, limiting its propagule pressure.
- Poor Dispersal Mechanisms: Its large seeds lack adaptations for wind or external animal dispersal, and they are not adapted for bird dispersal.
- Palatable & Non-Toxic: Foliage and pods are likely palatable to livestock and not known to be toxic.
- No Thorns/Burrs: Does not possess physical defenses like spines or burrs.
- Not Self-Compatible: Likely requires a mate for reproduction, based on information from a related species.
- No Vegetative Spread: Reproduces by seed and does not spread vegetatively.
