The red and orange flowers of Casalpinia pulcherrima are spectacular. They also have oval fernlike leaves with a light-and-dark green coloration, and they have clusters of moderately large, red-colored, berry-like fruit on rather long stems. Additionally, they have long, red tendrils. When I saw this vibrant, showy flower for the first time in a neighbor’s yard, I was really impressed, and I still am. It is an unforgettable flower, known in general conversation as the “peacock” flower. There are 10 native species native to the tropics and subtropics in southeastern Mexico, through Central America to Ecuador, Cuba, Hispaniola, and the Bahamas. Of course, it is now planted in throughout the world in mild climates.
Shown below are four images, from the same "peacock" plant. It is about 6 feet tall and about 15 feet wide.
The "pea cock plant" is generally speaking not an invasive one, although in Australia, locally in the South Pacific, Cuba, Florida, and Ecuador it is a borderline invasive species known to compete with and replace native plants.
They are fast-growing shrubs and small trees. This plant does well in northern Los Angeles County, southern California, yet one seldom sees it around homes. Perhaps the reason is that their seeds and pods are poisonous. These distinctive flowers thrive in hot, sunny climates. It is a summer blooming perennial (returns year after year) plant.
Additional common names for this plant are the “red bird of paradise,” the “Mexican bird of paradise,” the dwarf Poinciana, “pride of Barbados,” and the “flamboyant-de-jardin.”
These are not easy plants to care for because they can require specific conditions in order to grow properly (ask your plant- nursery experts).
Classification:
Kingdom Plantae
4 clades
Order Fabales
Family Fabaceae
Subfamily Casealpinioideae
Genus Caesalpina
Type Species: C. brasiliensis Linneaus
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