Mexican Bird of Paradise Caesalpinia pulcherrima
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Caesalpinia pulcherrima f. flava
- Caesalpinia pulcherrima var. insignis
- Poinciana pulcherrima
- Phonetic Spelling
- ses-al-PIN-ee-uh pul-cher-EE-muh
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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The Pride of Barbados is an evergreen shrub or small tree that is a member of the Fabaceae or legume family. It is originally from Mexico and the Caribbean and has beautiful showy orange-red flowers, fern-like leaves, and prickles on its stems and branches. It is the national flower of Barbados. It may also be known as Barbados Flower Fence, Barbados Pride, Dwarf Poinciana, Peacock Flower, and Red Bird of Paradise. The genus, Caesalpinia, is named in honor of the 16th-century botanist, philosopher, and physician, Andreas Caesalpini. The species name, pulcher, is Latin and means beauty.
The Pride of Barbados is a deciduous shrub in zone 9 and perennial in zone 8. In the tropics, it may grow 15-20 feet tall and equally as wide. The flowers are clusters of orange-red blossoms with long red stamens. They blossom most of the year in the tropics. In climates where frost occurs, the flowers appear late summer and fall. After flowering, the fruits appear which are pod-like. When they ripen, the pods split open and disperse the small seeds. The seeds contain tannic acid that is poisonous and can result in gastrointestinal discomfort if ingested. Exercise caution if using this specimen in areas frequented by children or pets.
Hot humid weather and full sun ensure flowering. It is intolerant of poorly drained soils. Once it matures it tolerates some drought. During the growing season, they perform best if watered deeply but infrequently. Pruning may be needed to maintain its shape. It may be best to avoid planting this shrub near patios or walkways due to its prickly stems and branches. Used as a specimen, accent, or border, it would add beautiful color in a sunny, hot, and humid area. The flowers also attract hummingbirds and butterflies. They are considered deer resistant.
In terms of pests and diseases, the shrub may develop scale and may be susceptible to mushroom root rot in poorly drained soil.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Phoenix'
Yellow flowers
- 'Phoenix'
- 'Phoenix'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Phoenix'
Yellow flowers
- 'Phoenix'
- 'Phoenix'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Caesalpinia
- Species:
- pulcherrima
- Family:
- Fabaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- In South America, indigenous tribes used the juice from the plant to treat fever, heal sores, and relieve coughing. In Mexico, the green seed pods are cooked and eaten. The plant has also been used to make inks and dyes. The flowers are popular in Hawaii for making lei.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Belize, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Mexico, Nicaragua, West Indies
- Distribution:
- Angela, Argentina, Arizona, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Brazil, Calfornia, Cambodia, China Southcentral, China Southeast, Cuba, Ecuador, Egypt, Ethiopia, Florida, Haiti, India, Iraq, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Japan, Kenya, Mexico Southwest, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Saudi Arabia, Southwest Caribbean, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Texas, Venezuela, Yemen, Zambia, Zaire
- Wildlife Value:
- Flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Dimensions:
- Height: 10 ft. 0 in. - 20 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Shrub
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Multi-trunked
- Rounded
- 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)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12-24 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 9a, 9b, 10b, 11a, 11b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Cream/Tan
- Green
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Legume
- Fruit Length:
- > 3 inches
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Waxy lima bean-shaped flat pods appear after the flowers bloom. They are 3-6 inches long and are initially green in color, then transition to red and eventually to a shiny brown. They contain 8-10 dark brown to black colored seeds. The seeds are about 1/4 inch in diameter. The pods split open when they mature and disperse the seeds. The seeds contain gallic and tannic acid and are poisonous.
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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. In tropical climates, they may bloom all year round. They have bright orangish-yellow petals with 10 prominent 6 inch long bright red stamens. The individual bloom measures 2-3 inches wide and appears in 4-10 inch clusters or racemes. Each raceme has up to 40 flowers and appears on the end of the branch.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Blue
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Soft
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Insignificant
- 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, fern-like, bluish-green in color, and 8-10 inches long. 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 5-8 pinnae and 6-10 leaflets per pinnae. Each oval leaflet is about 3/4 inches long.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Light Brown
- Light Gray
- Red/Burgundy
- Bark Description:
- The bark of a young specimen is usually purplish-red and has prickles. As it matures, the bark becomes grayish-brown, smoother, but may retain prickles.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Leaf Scar Shape:
- Round
- Stem Surface:
- Covered with a powdery bloom (glaucous)
- Stem Description:
- The stems and twigs are thin, purplish-red in color with white glaucous bloom and sharp prickles. The leaf scars are raised and rounded.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- 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
- Drought
- Problems:
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Children
- Problem for Dogs
- Spines/Thorns
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Low
- Poison Symptoms:
- Signs of poisoning included labored breathing, eye discharge, or vomiting, and diarrhea.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- The leaves contain hydrogen cyanide, and the seeds and seed pods contain tannins.
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- No
- Poison Part:
- Leaves
- Seeds
