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Tropicals > Caesalpinia > Caesalpinia pulcherrima > Caesalpinia pulcherrima

Caesalpinia pulcherrima


Poinciana, Peacock Flower, Red Bird of Paradise




Origin:  Tropical America. Genus is named after Italian botonist Andrea Caesalpino (1519-1603), and the species is from the Latin for beauty (pulcher).
Family
Fabaceae
Genus
Caesalpinia
Species
pulcherrima
Category
Tropicals
Type
Tree (evergreen)
USDA Hardiness Zone
9 - 11
Canadian Hardiness Zone
Requires cool season protection under glass.
RHS Hardiness Zone
H3
Temperature (°C)
5 - 1
Temperature (°F)
20 - 50
Height
3 m
Photographs
Description and Growing Information
Flowering Period
MayJune
General Description
A fast growing small evergreen tree.
Landscape
It is a striking ornamental plant, widely grown in domestic and public gardens and has a beautiful inflorescence in yellow, red and orange. Its small size and the fact that it tolerates pruning well allows it to be planted in groups to form a hedgerow; it can be also used to attract hummingbirds.
Cultivation
Best grown in direct sunlight in dry soil.
Growth
Fast
ID Characteristic
Sharp prickles along the stem that bore pinnae leaves. Concave shaped petalled flowers.
Pests
No major issues.
Habitat
The tropics and subtropics of the Americas.
Leaf Description
The leaves are bipinnate, 20-40 cm long, bearing 3-10 pairs of pinnae, each with 6-10 pairs of leaflets 15-25 mm long and 10-15 mm broad.
Flower Description
The flowers are borne in racemes up to 20 cm long, each flower with five yellow, orange or red petals.
Fruit Description
The fruit is a pod 6-12 cm long.
Notable Specimens
Pha Tad Ke Botanical Garden, Luang Prabang, Laos.
Propagation
Propagate by seed or by softwood cuttings.
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