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Caesalpinia

Caesalpinia pulcherrima

Basic Details

Description

Floral Formula

Features

Translations

Basic Details

NameCaesalpinia

DescriptionSpectacular tropical shrub featuring brilliant flame-colored flower clusters with long, prominent red stamens extending beyond ruffled petals. Blooms display vibrant combinations of orange, red, yellow, and pink, resembling peacock feathers in their showy splendor. A fast-growing, heat-loving plant that flowers nearly year-round in warm climates, attracting hummingbirds and butterflies to gardens, hedges, and tropical landscapes.

FamilyFabaceae

GenusCaesalpinia

TribeCaesalpinieae

Floral Formula & Features

Floral FormulaBr % ⚥ K5 C5 A10 G1

Bracteate (bracts present), bilaterally symmetrical (slightly zygomorphic), bisexual, 5 free sepals, 5 free clawed petals (unequal sizes), 10 free stamens (declinate, curving downward), 1 free carpel (monocarpellary) with superior ovary

Features

Named after Italian botanist Andrea Cesalpino (1519-1603). Called 'Peacock Flower' for its flamboyant, multicolored blooms resembling peacock tail feathers. 'Pride of Barbados' reflects its prominence in Caribbean landscapes
Flowers 1.5-2 inches (4-5 cm) across with 5 crinkled, spoon-shaped petals (typically orange-red with yellow margins) and 10 long, bright red stamens extending 2-3 inches beyond petals. Blooms arranged in upright racemes 8-12 inches long at branch tips
Evergreen to semi-deciduous shrub or small tree that blooms year-round in frost-free tropical climates, with peak flowering spring through fall. In subtropical areas, blooms late summer to fall. Produces flat seed pods 3-4 inches long
Grows 6-15 feet (2-4.5 m) tall with equal spread, can reach 20 feet in ideal conditions. Lifespan of 15-30+ years. Fast-growing, adding 2-3 feet per year. Propagated from scarified seeds or semi-hardwood cuttings
Native to tropical Americas, likely West Indies, Mexico, or Central America (exact origin uncertain due to widespread cultivation). Now naturalized throughout tropical and subtropical regions worldwide including Caribbean, Florida, Hawaii, Southeast Asia, and Africa
Requires full sun with 6-8 hours of direct sunlight for prolific blooming. Thrives in heat and humidity. Extremely drought tolerant once established. Tolerates poor, rocky, or sandy soils. Salt tolerant for coastal gardens. Frost sensitive (damaged below 32°F/0°C)
Excellent for tropical hedges, screens, and specimen plantings. Attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees. Deer resistant. Self-seeds readily, can become invasive in some tropical regions. Legume that fixes nitrogen. Seeds and plant parts toxic if ingested

Names in Different Languages

Latin / ScientificCaesalpinia pulcherrima

English (Alternate)Peacock Flower, Dwarf Poinciana, Red Bird of Paradise, Mexican Bird of Paradise, Pride of Barbados, Flos Pavonis, Flamboyant-de-jardin

Hindiगुलेतूरा (Gulletura), राधा चूड़ा (Radha Chuda), कृष्णा चूरा (Krishna Chura)

Tamilமயில் கொன்றை (Mayil Kondrai)

Teluguరత్నగంధీ (Ratnagandhi), పనిడితంగెడు (Paniditangedu ), కర్పూరమద్ది (Karpuramaddi)

Malayalamരാജമല്ലി (Rajamalli), ചെത്തിമന്ദാരം(chethimandaaram), മയിൽക്കൊന്ന(mayilkkonna)

Kannadaಚಣ್ಣಕೇಶವ ಗಿಡ (Channakeshava Gida), ರತ್ನಗಂಧಿ (Ratnagandhi), ಕೆಂಜಿಗೆ (Kenjige), ಕೇ಼ಂಜಿಗೆ (Kēñjige

Sanskritसिद्धक्य (Sidhakya), कृष्णचूडा (Krishnachuda) , रत्नगन्धि (Ratnagandhi), कुबेराक्षी (Kuberakshi)

Bengaliক্রিশ্নচূড়া (Krishnachura), রাধাচূড়া (Radhachura), বামন কৃষ্ণচূড়া (Baman Krishnachura)

Frenchflamboyant, orgueil de Chine, petit flamboyant

RussianЦезальпиния (Tsezal'piniia), Цезальпиния красивая (Tsezal'piniia krasivaya), Цезальпиния красивая (Caesalpinia pulcherrima)

SpanishFlor de pavo real, Flamboyán, Clavellina, Tabachín, Flor de camarón, Barba del sol

GermanPfauenstrauch, Caesalpinia pulcherrima

What is Floral Formula?

A floral formula is a symbolic representation of a flower's structure using letters, numbers, and special symbols. It provides a concise way to describe the arrangement and number of floral parts.

Example Formula

% K(6) C1+2+(2) A(9) G₂

This formula describes the flower's symmetry, sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels in a standardized format.