Peacock flower, Caesalpinia pulcherrima – Plant

Description

Peacock flower, Caesalpinia pulcherrima – Plant

It is a shrub growing to 3 m tall. In climates with few to no frosts, this plant will grow larger and is semievergreen. In Hawaii this plant is evergreen and grows over 5 m tall. Grown in climates with light to moderate freezing, plant will die back to the ground depending on cold, but will rebound in mid- to late spring. This species is more sensitive to cold than others. The leaves are bipinnate, 20–40 cm long, bearing three to 10 pairs of pinnae, each with six to 10 pairs of leaflets 15–25 mm long and 10–15 mm broad. The flowers are borne in racemes up to 20 cm long, each flower with five yellow, orange, or red petals. The fruit is a pod 6–12 cm long.

Botanical name – Caesalpinia pulcherrima (Linn.) Sw.

Local/Trade Names – Dwarf Poinciana, Krishna Chura, Peacock Flower

Conservation status  – Commonly grown in gardens.

Native  – Native country uncertain, perhaps South America.

Where to see it – Medicinal Plant Garden and Flowering Tree section.

Uses – Fruits rich in tannins; flowers yield a dye. Infusion of the flowers used as a pectoral and febrifuge; bark as an abortifacient. Leaves purgative, tonic, and emmenagogue.

Ornamental Use

• Landscaping: Due to its vibrant and colorful flowers, Caesalpinia pulcherrima is widely used in ornamental gardening and landscaping, adding a tropical feel to gardens, parks, and public spaces.
• Hedges and Borders: The plant can also be used to create hedges or borders in landscapes due to its dense growth and aesthetic appeal.