Copperpod, Yellow Flame, Yellow Flamboyant

Scientific Name: Peltophorum pterocarpum (DC.) Backer ex K.Heyne
Synonym: Baryxylum inerme, Caesalpinia ferruginea, Caesalpinia inermis, Inga pterocarpum, Peltophorum ferrugineum, Peltophorum inermis
Family: Fabaceae

Recommended Temperature Zone:
Sunset®: 25
USDA: 10-11.

Frost Tolerance: Cannot tolerate frost.

Sun Exposure: Light shade to full sun

Origin: Coastal areas of tropical Australasia

Growth Habits: Tree, fast growing to 25 to 50 feet tall (8-15 m), up to 25 feet across (8 m), umbrella-like crown; fuzzy rusty-red twigs; bipinnate leaves, about 2 feet long (60 cm), with 4 to 15 pairs of pinnae, each with 8 to 20 pairs of oblong leaflets

Watering Needs: Moderate water, prefers moist, well-drained soil; somewhat drought resistant

Propagation: Seeds (need to be scariofied)

Peltophorum pterocarpum, flowers, photo by Forest & Kim Starr, starr-030514-0020

Yellow Flame

Blooming Habits:
Yellow fragrant flowers, 1.5 inches across (4 cm), with crinkled petals, each with a brown spot. They are born on upright racemes about 18 inches long (45 cm).

Fruiting Habits:
Purplish brown, flattened, oblong seed pods, 2 to 4.5 inches long (5-11.5 cm), 0.8 to 1.1 inches wide (2-2.7 cm).