Peltophorum pterocarpum (DC.) Backer ex K. Heyne

Etymology	Genus	Shield (pelte), to bear (pherein); referring to the shield-like stigma
	Species	Winged fruit
Family		Fabaceae
Synonyms		Inga pterocarpa DC.
Common Names		Yellow Flame, Copper Pod
Status		Native: Critically Endangered
Form		Tree
Native Distribution		Indochina, Peninsular Malaysia to Australia

Diagnostics:

It has bipinnate leaves with leaflets that are tiny and fairly romboid in shape. A very useful character is to note the colour of the bark, which is light grey. Its flowering is quite spectacular and distinctive, since the bright yellow inflorescences will cover the canopy. The young shoots are rusty brown and hairy.

Interesting Facts:

The Yellow Flame was first cultivated in 1936 along Balestier Road for shade (Holttum, 1936). As of 2009, its population maintained by the National Parks Board have reached more than 25,000, making it the second most commonly cultivated tree in Singapore (Tan et al., 2009). Despite this fact, it is still considered nationally critically endangered as individuals in the coastal forest where it grows naturally in are not as common.

References

Tan PY, B Yeo, WX Yip & HS Lua. (2009) Carbon Storage and Sequestration by Urban Trees in Singapore. Centre for Urban Greenery and Ecology, National Parks Board, Singapore. 14 pp. 

Holttum RE. (1936) Annual Report of the Director of Gardens. 16 pp.

Author: Siyang
Posted: 2013-01-16 / Modified: 2025-07-13