Fire Tree

Fire tree is also called royal poinciana, flamboyant tree, peacock tree or flame of the forest. The Fire Tree is native to Madagascar and was introduced to the Philippines during the early Spanished period. Study has shown the seeds to be edible. It is a good source of oil, energy-rich, and can be used as protein supplement, but may pose cardiovascular risk because of high sodium-to-potassium ration.

In Kerala, India there’s a popular belief among Saint Thomas Christians that when Jesus was crucified, there was a small royal poinciana tree nearby his Cross. It is believed that the blood of Jesus Christ was shed over the flowers of the tree and this is how the flowers of royal poinciana got a sharp red color. Locally called kaalvarippoo which means “the flower of Calvary”.