Caesalpinia Pulcherrima - Peacock Flowers

Caesalpinia Pulcherimma shrubs can reach about 3 metres in height. The flowers buds are produced in racemes with a central stem which can be as long as 20 cm. The leaves of the plant emerge from tiny, spiny stems which forms in pairs of pinnae. 

In the below images, you can see the flower cluster with buds and flowers and also a close up shot of the reddish orange colored peacock flower. Obviously, the resemblance of these flowers with the peacock feathers should be the reason why they are called as 'peacock' flowers. The beautiful petals definitely resemble the plumage in the peacock feathers and also the presence of so many such flowers and buds in the flower clusters or racemes resemble the feather cluster of a peacock. 

Other popular names for the red variety of flowers are Red Bird of Paradise and Barbados Pride, as this is the national flower of the Caribbean island named Barbados.

The seeds of these plants which are green in color are contained in seed capsules. They turn dark brown as they get dried up. The seeds are poisonous, but the seeds can be used to grow the plants very easily as they have a much faster germination rate. Once the seeds are dried enough, the seed pods burst open and the plants propagate from the seeds naturally. You can plant the seeds or a new plant in very well drained soil and water them daily. Once the plants are grown and established, the plants need to be watered only occasionally as they can tolerate drought. In tropical or subtropical regions, the plants produce flowers year round. They need full or partial sun for producing flowers. They can also be grown in shades, but they may produce less or no flowers without sunlight.  The plants do not tolerate frost, and they shed leaves when exposed to winter. However, the plants usually grow back in spring and produce flowers from late summer to fall season.

Planting caesalpinia  pulcherrima in gardens can attract bees, butterflies and hummingbirds. 

This species of peacock flowers, the Red Bird Of Paradise flowers, is often referred  by the name Mexican Bird Of Paradise, but many people think both are entirely different plants even though they are similar species.