Barbados pride
Caesalpinia pulcherrima

Family: Fabaceae

What it is like

A bush or shrub. It grows 3 m tall. It has a single stem at the base. It branches widely. The leaves are compound and are divided twice. There can be 12 pairs of leaflets. These are 2 cm long. There are long flower spikes on the ends of most branches. The flowers have long stalks. The flowers can be red, pink, gold or yellow. The petals have wavy edges. The stamens are long. The fruit are flat, hanging pods. They are 12 cm long. They are green and turn dark brown. The pods twist open on the tree.

There are about 150 Caesalpinia species. They grow in the tropics and subtropics. Also as Caesalpinaceae.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows throughout the tropics. It East Africa it grows best near the coast. It does best with moderate rainfall and a seasonally dry climate. It suits sandy, well-drained soil. It needs full sun. It is salt tolerant. It is damaged by drought or frost. It grows below 2,000 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places. In XTBG Yunnan. It suits hardiness zones 11-12.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, Barbados (country/location of origin), Bolivia, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Caroline Islands, Central America, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, East Africa, East Timor, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Fiji, Guatemala, Guiana, Guianas, Guyana, Haiti, Hawaii, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Jamaica, Laos, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Marquesas, Mediterranean, Mexico, Mozambique, Myanmar, New Caledonia, Niue, North Africa, North America, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Rotuma, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, Slovenia, South America, Southern Africa, Sri Lanka, Suriname, Taiwan, Thailand, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Trinidad-Tobago, Tuvalu, USA, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, West Africa, West Indies, Zambia

How it is used for food

The mature seeds are eaten raw. The young seeds are eaten fresh or cooked. The flowers are lightly cooked and eaten. Caution: The plant can contain hydrocyanide so needs to be cooked before using.

Edible parts

Seeds, flowers, pod

How it is grown

It can be grown from seed. Seed need treatment before sowing. They can also be grown from cuttings.

It is fast growing.

Its other names

Local names

Alai-apaw, Bunga merak, Butsu krismas, Caballero, Cana, Chana, Chinna turai, Daung-sok, Diep cung, Diep ta, Fathangumaa, Fitihetau, Guacamayo, Gulu-tora, Gulutura, Haang-nok-yung-thai, Hang nok yung tai, Jambul merak, Kemerakan barbados, Kenjige, Kim phuong, Krasna cezalpinija, Krishnachura, Laupa, Malinche, Mayikonnai, Mnyonyore, Monara mal, Nok yung tai, Pamiditangedu, Peacock flower, Pride of Barbados, Ratanagandhi, Ratnagandhi, Sandhesharo, Seinban-gale, Settimandaram, Suma, Tabachin, Viranga, Zaung-gale

Synonyms

Poinciana bijuga Lour.; Poinciana bijuga Burm. f.; Poinciana pulcherrima Linn.;