Caesalpinia pulcherrima (L.) Sw.

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Caesalpinia pulcherrima

Photo: Bart Wursten
Pink Papaya, Chimoio

Caesalpinia pulcherrima

Photo: Bart Wursten
Pink Papaya, Chimoio

Caesalpinia pulcherrima

Photo: Bart Wursten
Pink Papaya, Chimoio

Caesalpinia pulcherrima

Photo: Bart Wursten
Pink Papaya, Chimoio

Caesalpinia pulcherrima

Photo: Bart Wursten
Rhino Hotel, Old Runde Bridge, Mwenezi

Caesalpinia pulcherrima

Photo: Bart Wursten
Rhino Hotel, Old Runde Bridge, Mwenezi

Caesalpinia pulcherrima

Photo: Mark Hyde
Near main house, Canonkopje Crane and Game Sanctuary

Caesalpinia pulcherrima

Photo: Mark Hyde
Near main house, Canonkopje Crane and Game Sanctuary

Caesalpinia pulcherrima

Photo: Mark Hyde
Near main house, Canonkopje Crane and Game Sanctuary

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Species details: Click on each item to see an explanation of that item (Note: opens a new window)

Synonyms: Poinciana pulcherrima L.
Common names: Mexican Bird of Paradise (English) Peacock Flower (English) Pride of Barbados (English)
Frequency:
Status:
Description:
Glabrous shrub to 6 m, sometimes scrambling, with sparse prickles on stems and leaves, but often unarmed in cultivated specimens. Leaves: pinnae 3-10 pairs. Leaflets: 5-12 pairs per pinna; lamina oblong. Pedicels 2.5-7 cm long. Petals 15-26 mm long, the upper one smaller, red, red and yellow, orange or yellow, widely spread. Longest stamens 4-7 cm long, long-exserted; filaments red. Pod 6-12 cm, obliquely oblong to oblanceolate, flat.
Type location:
Notes:
Derivation of specific name: pulcherrima: most beautiful
Habitat:
Altitude range: (metres)
Flowering time:
Worldwide distribution: Native to tropical and subtropical America.
Growth form(s):
Endemic status:
Red data list status:
Insects associated with this species:
Spot characters: Display spot characters for this species
Literature:

Brummitt, R.K., Chikuni, A.C., Lock, J.M. & Polhill, R.M. (2007). Leguminosae Subfamily Caesalpinioideae Flora Zambesiaca 3(2) Page 178.

Ntore, S. & al. (2024). Checklist of the vascular plants of Burundi Page 115.

Parker, T. (2023). Common Trees of Mozambique The Tree Press, Austin, Texas, USA Pages 170 - 171. (Includes a picture).

Troupin, G. (1978). Caesalpiniaceae Flore du Rwanda Spermatophytes Volume I Page 384.


Other sources of information about Caesalpinia pulcherrima:

Our websites:

Flora of Malawi: cultivated Caesalpinia pulcherrima
Flora of Mozambique: cultivated Caesalpinia pulcherrima
Flora of Rwanda: cultivated Caesalpinia pulcherrima
Flora of Zambia: cultivated Caesalpinia pulcherrima
Flora of Zimbabwe: cultivated Caesalpinia pulcherrima

External websites:

African Plants: A Photo Guide (Senckenberg): Caesalpinia pulcherrima
African Plant Database: Caesalpinia pulcherrima
BHL (Biodiversity Heritage Library): Caesalpinia pulcherrima
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Caesalpinia pulcherrima
GBIF (Global Biodiversity Information Facility): Caesalpinia pulcherrima
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
iNaturalist: Caesalpinia pulcherrima
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Caesalpinia pulcherrima
JSTOR Plant Science: Caesalpinia pulcherrima
Mansfeld World Database of Agricultural and Horticultural Crops: Caesalpinia pulcherrima
Plants of the World Online: Caesalpinia pulcherrima
Tropicos: Caesalpinia pulcherrima
Wikipedia: Caesalpinia pulcherrima


Copyright: The Burundi flora team, 2024-25

The Burundi flora team (2025). Flora of Burundi: Species information: Caesalpinia pulcherrima.
https://www.burundiflora.com/speciesdata/species.php?species_id=165510, retrieved 26 August 2025

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