The Flamboyant

You glance in my direction and best believe I grasp your attention. You hear my name and that alone should tell you what to expect. But still you allow me to lure you with my bright, beautiful shades of scarlet lipstick and my green flowing dress, clinging to every curve. I wouldn’t dare tell you about these legs. The French think I’m flaming and wavy, but who can blame them? Don’t I look hot? My look screams ‘out of reach’ but who doesn’t like to look at what they can’t have? Hmm-mm-mm, if only I weren’t a tree!

You get close like you’d like to get to know me. You look all interested so I’ll help you out.

My family name is Leguminosae (give it a try!). I am related to many leguminous plants like nuts and beans. My family and I are endemic to Madagascar but can be grown in other tropical areas. I can reach to about 50 feet in height! I can have a head of about 65 feet diameter and a waist of about 4 feet.

In season, I am easily detected by scarlet or yellow flowers consisting of five petals and compound leaves that consist of around one hundred little leaves alternating along a sheet, about a half inch each in width. And as you know, all flowering plants have fruits and so do I. My fruit are long pods, which show up after my flowers and leaves are about to drop and they stay there until I start to flower once more. After which I get all beautiful again. Lucky me!

This Eco-Corner article was written by Clarissa Lloyd, an intern at the Anguilla National Trust. For more information about the ANT, its programmes, or how to get involved, please call 497 5297.