http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/load/tropical/msg1116543115315.html

Does anyone knows where to get the flamboyant tree (seed or cutting) in NSW?

I've never heard it called Flame Tree as used by NTPlanter above. This is one of the names used for African Tulip (Spathodea companulata), an attractive tree but a bit of a weed in the Wet Tropics.

The tree that you describe, NTPlanter, does certainly sound like Cassia javanica. It is very common in the warmer tropics and a very striking tree in flower. It is not a relative of the Poinciana. It strikes readily from seed provided they are soaked in water beforehand. Attached is a photograph of C.javanica.

And for comparison D. regia

Grant

Another reference says that the poinciana will not *flower* if grown more than 30 degrees from the equator, which is just north of Coffs Harbour (the 30th parallel falls roughly halfway between Coffs Harbour and Grafton). However, a previous poster said that flowering poincianas were to be found in West Gosford, which is about 33 deg. south of the equator, so clearly the local microclimate is crucial in determining whether you can grow this plant or not. You might be able to extend its range by planting it in a position sheltered against cold winds and frosts, although it is unlikely to grow as large as it would in the sub/tropics or to flower. (You'd have to deal with the problem of rainfall patterns too, as it likes summer rain but a dry winter. The combination of prolonged periods of rain and cold temps might prove fatal.) You could further extend its range by growing it in a tub in a warm sheltered spot but, again, it's unlikely to flower if grown too far outside its comfort zone.

An alternative you could try is CAESALPINIA PULCHERRIMA (aka dwarf poinciana or pride of Barbados), which is reputedly able to thrive in a slightly cooler climate than the poinciana. It's nowhere near as large as the poinciana, being more shrublike, but has similar flowers and looks tropical. You can see what it looks like by searching for it in the images section of Google.

Seeds of both species can be bought for a reasonable price thru the Oz website of ebay. Note that the poinciana can take up to 10 years to bloom when grown from seed.

I'd associate Flame Tree in nQ/ cQ at least, with the native Brachychiton acerifolius which lights up hillsides around Airlie Beach spectacularly.

And that's not even touching on the naming confusion between true Yellow poinciana (Delonix regia var. flavida) and Peltophorum pterocarpum, which is labelled yellow poinciana *all the time*, and yellow flame much of the time.

There's a large Cassia javanica at the fledgling Mackay botanic gardens which has its toes in the lagoon and looks magnificent......a couple at my husband's office suffer from car park conditions and are forever dropping limbs. But the seedlings come up in leaf litter in numbers, maybe you've succeeded in germination by now.

If I were in your area, I'd say its just winter as they are in leaf-drop mode here in sub-tropical just south of Bris.
As I have no experience of gardening in NT and this forum isn't exactly booming with traffic, I'd try contacting your local botanical garden if there is one, or failing that maybe a call or e-mail to the NT Department of Primary Industries - they will have botanists - or to Cairns Uni - you are bound to find someone to help.
Hope yours are OK