Caesalpinia pulcherrima

Caesalpinia pulcherrima is a species of flowering plant in the pea family, Fabaceae, that is native to the tropics and subtropics of the Americas. It could be found in a wide range of habitats, from tropical and subtropical forests to dry landscapes. Common names for this species include peacock flower, pride of Barbados, and dwarf poinciana.

Description

Caesalpinia pulcherrima is a shrub or small tree that typically grows to a height of 3 to 5 meters. Its leaves are bipinnate, 20 to 40 centimeters long, bearing three to 10 pairs of leaflets. Each leaflet is 2 to 4 centimeters long and broad. The flowers are borne in racemes up to 20 centimeters long, each flower with five yellow, orange, or red petals. The fruit is a pod 6 to 12 centimeters long.

Cultivation and uses

Caesalpinia pulcherrima is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant in tropical and subtropical gardens. It can also be used in xeriscaping due to its tolerance of dry conditions. The flowers are also used in traditional medicine for various ailments, although there is no clinical evidence for its effectiveness.

Taxonomy

The species was first described by the Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus in 1759. The genus name Caesalpinia honors the Italian botanist Andrea Cesalpino (1519–1603), who was the first to formulate a system of plant classification.

See also

• List of Caesalpinia species
• Fabaceae