poinciana

American  

[poin-see-an-uh] / ˌpɔɪn siˈæn ə /

noun

1. any of several other tropical trees of the legume family, with showy flowers, as Caesalpina pulcherrima dwarf poinciana or Peltophorum pterocarpum yellow poinciana.

2. royal poinciana.

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poinciana British  

/ ˌpɔɪnsɪˈɑːnə /

noun

1. any tree of the tropical leguminous genera Caesalpinia (formerly Poinciana ) having large orange or red flowers See royal poinciana

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Etymology

Origin of poinciana

First recorded in 1725–35; from New Latin; named after M. de Poinci, 17th-century governor of the French Antilles; -an, -a ²

Example Sentences

They imported specimens — including flowering purple jacaranda and red poinciana — that became signatures of Cairo’s streets.

From Seattle Times • Mar. 11, 2022

"We loved the architecture and the poinciana trees--a riot of red," recalls Lynn.

From Southern Living • Apr. 14, 2011

Ashore, the islands are ablaze with hibiscus, bougainvillaea, begonia, poinciana, wild orchids, frangipani, red and orange flame trees, wild ginger.

From Time Magazine Archive

Weeds had been cut back to showcase red-blooming poinciana trees.

From Full of Beans by Jennifer L. Holm

Here royal poinciana flared gorgeously beside the orange-colored blossoms of wild cassava, and hordes of birds flamed by on brilliant wings.

From Diane of the Green Van by Dalrymple, Leona