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Bird-of Paradise Bush Erythrostemon gilliesii

Previously known as:

  • Caesalpinia gillesii
  • Poinciana gilliesii
Phonetic Spelling
er-rith-rah-STEM-on gil-EEZ-ee-eye
This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Native to South America, this shrub was introduced into the US has now naturalized to some extent in the southwest US.  It is a shrub or small tree in the bean family. The plant is upright, open, rounded irregularly and spreading.  

Its showy yellow flowers with bright red yellow stamens and feathery, fern-like leaves make quite a beautiful display. It's resistant to damage by deer and drought. 

Grown as a tropical plant, in lower zones it may need to be planted in a protected location, cut back to the ground each year and the root zone mulched well.

Its growth is dependent on rainfall and sunshine.  To reach its full potential or height, adequate rainfall or watering is required as well as 8 hours of sunshine daily.  Allowing the soil to dry slightly between watering will stimulate the plant to develop a deep root system.  Less often deep watering will help the development of the plant, rather than frequent, less volume watering.  Improper watering will also lead to the plants' inability to produce flowers.

Pruning should be done only to promote the shape of the plant.  Shearing should never be part of your pruning schedule, the recovery can be a long process.  

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  No serious insect or disease issues.  Ingestion of the fruits and or seeds can cause gastrointestinal upset.  

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#evergreen#small tree#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#deer resistant#evergreen shrub#evergreen tree#dry soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#problem for cats#problem for dogs#tropical#butterfly garden#moth friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#hummingbird friendly#evergreen#small tree#heat tolerant#drought tolerant#deer resistant#evergreen shrub#evergreen tree#dry soils tolerant#butterfly friendly#problem for cats#problem for dogs#tropical#butterfly garden#moth friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Erythrostemon
    Species:
    gilliesii
    Family:
    Fabaceae
    Uses (Ethnobotany):
    Used as an accent.
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Woody
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Argentina and Uruguay
    Distribution:
    AZ, CA, GA, NM, NV, OK, TX. UT
    Wildlife Value:
    Hummingbirds and butterflies are attracted to the flowers.
    Play Value:
    Attractive Flowers
    Colorful
    Textural
    Dimensions:
    Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Shrub
    Tree
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Open
    Rounded
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Fine
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Soil Texture:
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil pH:
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    6-feet-12 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Fruit Description:
    Light brown pods with dark glands hairy when young smooth as they mature. Seeds are ovate, compressed brown with purple black spots. These unsightly fruits are heavy and tend to weigh down the branches. The seeds are ejected from its pods when they burst open.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Red/Burgundy
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Raceme
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Long Bloom Season
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Star
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    3-6 inches
    Flower Description:
    One inch Yellow flowers with 5" showy red stamens form on racemes up that can grow to u to 20" long. Flowers have five petals and 10 long red stamens.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Broadleaf Evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Soft
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves are up to 6" long and have 3 to 10 pairs of pinnae. Each pinnae with have 6 to 10 leaflets up to 1/4" long.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Purple/Lavender
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Young stems are hairy black or brown glands
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Drought Tolerant Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Accent
    Flowering Tree
    Small Tree
    Specimen
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Hummingbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Drought
    Dry Soil
    Heat
    Problems:
    Messy
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Dogs
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    Low
    Poison Symptoms:
    Oral irritation, intense burning and irritation of mouth, tongue and lips, excessive drooling, vomiting, diarrhea, difficulty swallowing and incoordination is possible. Deaths in rabbits have been reported.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    possibly hydrocyanic acid
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Leaves