Caesalpinia pulcherimma - Pride of Barbados
Family Fabaceae
Description:
About a hundred species of Caesalpinia are native to tropical America, Asia
and Namibia,
Africa. They may be shrubs, vines or trees.
Most are spiny. Several species are useful for timber, dyes and local
medicines. Pride of Barbados is native to Central America,
northwestern South America, and the Caribbean. It is a popular flowering shrub or small tree
in warm climates around the world. It can make a small, spreading tree to about
fifteen feet tall or more. Flowers are borne in short spikes and are bright
orange and yellow. Varieties exist that have pink-red and yellow and all yellow
flowers.
Location:
See plants on the south wall of building 9.
Size:
In Jacksonville, expect this large shrub or small tree to grow to about fifteen feet tall.
Care Instructions:
Light: full sun
Water: drought tolerant
Soil: ordinary, well-drained soil, no other special requirements
This is a large, deciduous shrub or small tree for a hot,
dry site. It appears that two distinctive forms exist. The Mexican form that is
planted on campus is rare in cultivation. Seeds for the plant on campus came
from San Antonio, Texas. It is reported to be cold hardier
than the common Caribbean form found in Florida nurseries and
has bristles on the stems instead of thorns.