Pride of Burma  (Amherstia nobilis)

Not evaluated.

This stunning tree is the only member of the genusAmherstia (3). The extravagant flowers are seen hanging from the long inflorescence, or flower stalk, which is a bright crimson red at the end (2). There are 5 petals although 2 of these are minute and the rest are of unequal size. The petals are also crimson; the two medium sized petals are yellow at the tip and the largest petal is broad and fan-shaped with a wavy upper margin and a yellow triangle of colour extending from the lip down into the flower (3). This large petal may be 7.5 centimetres long and over 4 centimetres wide at the end (2). There are either 9 or 10 stamens, 9 of which are partially fused into a pink sheath; the stamens are of two differing lengths with the longer ones having larger anthers(3). The compound leaves bear 6 - 8 large leaflets; these are broadly oblong in shape and are a whitish colour underneath (2). The fruits, or seedpods, are 11 to 20 centimetres long (4). They are roughly scimitar-shaped and the woody outer case opens to disperse the seeds (3).

Endemic to Burma in Southeast Asia, this species is often cultivated as an ornamental for its extremely showy flowers (2).

Found in dry, evergreen forests (3).

This tree is evergreen, meaning it retains its leaves year round. Flowering occurs from January to February (3).

This species was once relatively common in its native Burma (3); however, the current distribution and threats to its survival are unknown.

The pride of Burma persists in cultivation, where it is widely grown as an ornamental (2).