Caesalpinia pulcherrima (Pride of Barbados, Peacock Flower, Barbados Pride, Barbados Flower Fence, Dwarf Poinciana, Flamboyant Tree, Paradise Flower, Spanish Carnation, Mexican Bird of Paradise, Flowerfence)

Botanical Information

FamilyFabaceae
GenusCaesalpinia
Speciespulcherrima
CategoryTropicals
TypeTree (evergreen), Shrub (evergreen)
OriginTropical Americas.
Ethnobotanical Uses
Disclaimer		In Hawaii, flowers are sometimes used in leis. Green seed pods are cooked and eaten in Mexico.

Details

USDA Hardiness Zone9 - 11
USDA Hardiness Ref.
Canadian Hardiness ZoneRequires cold season protection under glass.
Canada Hardiness Ref.
RHS Hardiness ZoneH1c - H4
RHS Hardiness Ref.
Temperature (°C)-10 - 10
Temperature (°F)14 - 50
Height3 - 6 m
Spread3 - 6 m
GrowthFast
Flowering PeriodApril, May, June, July, August, September, October

Description and Growing Information

LandscapeUse as a hedge or as a screen.
CultivationBest grown in full sun in moist, well-drained soil. Tolerates light shade, but blooms best in full sun. Established plants have good drought tolerance. Prune to shape as needed.
Leaf DescriptionFeathery, twice pinnate leaves are normally evergreen but sometimes deciduous in areas near the edge of the growing range. Each leaf has 5-8 pairs of pinnae and 6-10 pairs of leaflets per pinna.
Flower DescriptionBowl-shaped, 5 petals that are up to 5 cm wide in 10 - 20 cm long terminal racemes, with up to 40 flowers per raceme, located at the end of branches. Flowers bloom all year-round in tropical climates.
Fruit DescriptionOblong and flat, growing to 5-15 cm long, containing 8-10 seeds. Ejects the seeds when the pod splits open at maturity.
Colour DescriptionFlowers have orange-yellow petals with dark red stamens. Foliage is green. Seeds are dark brown to black.
Texture DescriptionStems have sharp prickles along them.

Photographs