Spathodea campanulata, commonly known as the African tulip tree, is a medium-sized to large, fast-growing, deciduous tree with a rounded crown and attractive orange-scarlet, tulip-like flowers. It features large, pinnate leaves with 5-19 oval leaflets and a slightly buttressed trunk with warty, gray bark. The tree is native to tropical Africa and is widely cultivated as an ornamental in tropical and subtropical regions. 

Key characteristics:

Size: Typically grows to 10-35 meters tall, with a stout trunk. 

Leaves: Opposite, pinnately compound, with 5-19 leaflets. 

Flowers: Large, showy, orange-scarlet to red, tulip-shaped flowers, often with yellow throats. 

Fruit: Woody, cigar-shaped pods that split open to release numerous winged seeds. 

Bark: Young bark is pale, gray-brown and smooth, turning gray-black, scaly, and cracked with age. 

Growth Habit: Can be fast-growing and is known for its superficial root system, which can make it susceptible to toppling in high winds. 

Habitat: Favors moist habitats and can become invasive in some tropical areas. 

Uses: Cultivated as an ornamental, but also has some medicinal uses and is used for timber, firewood, and other applications. 

Additional points:

The tree is known for its "water pistol" flowers, which children like to use to squirt water. 

It has become naturalized and invasive in many tropical regions. 

A yellow-flowered, seedless variety is available, which is considered a less invasive option.