Caesalpinia
Previously known as:
- Brasilettia
- Poinciana
- Ticanto
- Phonetic Spelling
- ses-al-PIN-ee-ah
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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The genus, Caesalpinia, is a shrub or tree that is a member of the Fabaceae or legume family. It is named in honor of the 16th-century botanist, philosopher, and physician, Andreas Caesalpini. It is native to Southeast Mexico to Peru and the Caribbean. This plant is typically found in dry tropical woodlands, wooded grasslands, coastal thickets, or bushland.
There are over 140 species of this genus. A variety of species are available in the Caribbean, Central American, South America, Madagascar, Southern Africa, and Yemen. This genus has been introduced into the United States in the states of Arizona, California, Florida, and Texas.
The shrub or tree is erect or climbing. Some species have prickles or spines on their stems and branches. It is deciduous in zone 9 and perennial in zone 8. They typically bloom in the summer months. In the tropics, it may flower year-round. The green leaves are fern-like and bipinnate with paired pinnae. The flowers form clusters on the terminal or lateral side of the stems and are a variety of colors including yellow, orange, red, or yellow petals with red stamens. Fruits appear after flowering and consist of pods. When they ripen, the pods split open and disperse small seeds.
The species, Caesalpinia pulcherrima or 'Pride of Barbados,' is cultivated as a garden ornamental in the tropics and subtropics. The ripened seeds of this species contain tannic acids and are poisonous if ingested resulting in gastrointestinal discomfort.
This genus prefers full sun and well-drained soil. Once it matures it may tolerate some drought. During the growing season, they perform best if watered deeply but infrequently. Pruning may be required to maintain its shape.
The shrub or tree may be used as a specimen, accent, or border in tropical or subtropical areas. The flowers attract butterflies and hummingbirds.
Some shrubs may develop scale and poorly drained soil may result in mushroom root rot.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Caesalpinia
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- The flowers of some species are used for making lei in Hawaii. In South America, indigenous tribes have used the juice of some species for treating fever, heal sores, and relieve cough. The plants have been used to make inks and dyes.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- SE. Mexico to Peru & Caribbean.
- Distribution:
- Caribbean, Mexico, Columbia, Ecuador, Peru, Paraguay, Argentina, Madagascar, Congo, Southern Africa, Oman, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, India, Philippines, Thailand, and the United States--Arizona, California, Florida, and Texas
- Wildlife Value:
- Flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Dimensions:
- Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Poisonous
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Climbing
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
- Appendage:
- Prickles
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 6-feet-12 feet
- 12-24 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Green
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Legume
- Fruit Length:
- > 3 inches
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Slender pods appear after the flowers bloom. They are usually green and may transition to red and then brown. The pods contain dark brown to black seeds. The pods split open when they mature and disperse the seeds.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Orange
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Cup
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- The flowers bloom in late summer om the end of the stem or branch. In tropical climates, they bloom all year round. They may have yellow, red, or orange flowers. Some species have orangish-yellow flowers with long red stamens.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Soft
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Opposite
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Oblong
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves are feathery. They are usually evergreen, but they may be deciduous in areas near the edge of their growing range. They have bipinnately compound leaves. Each leaf has pinnae, and each pinna is divided into leaflets.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Brown
- Light Gray
- Red/Burgundy
- Bark Description:
- The bark on young shoots may have prickles. As it matures, the bark may be smoother but still retain prickles.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- The stems and twigs are thin and may have sharp prickles.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Houseplants
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Flowering Tree
- Hedge
- Small Tree
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Children
- Problem for Dogs
- Spines/Thorns
