Caesalpinia Pulcherrima - Peacock Flowers

by VioletteRose

Read all about Caesalpenia Pulcherrima plant and flower varieties here. Learn useful information on these garden flowers, which are also known by the name Peacock flowers.

Beautiful reddish orange, or sometimes yellow or pink colored peacock flowers are produced in drought resistant shrubs which do well in warmer climates. Peacock flowers can refer to the flowers produced in few species of flowering plants and trees, but here I am referring to the flowers produced in a shrub that has the scientific name Caesalpinia pulcherrima. Most commonly these peacock flowers are seen in orange reddish shades, although I have also seen the yellow and pink flowers. The shrubs produce lots of flowers from late summer to fall season and they make excellent ornamental plants in any garden. You can easily grow them if you live in places with tropical climates or even warmer climates.

Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons Image

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.

 

Buds and flowers in the raceme
Buds and flowers in the raceme
A re-post!..Peacock Flower (Caesalpinia pulcherrima)

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. 

Buy Pink Color Peacock Flower Plant Seeds here!

PINK BIRD OF PARADISE CAESALPINIA PUL...

Do you think the Red Bird of Paradise flowers and the Mexican Bird of Paradise flowers are the same?

Seeds of the plant
Caesalpinia Pulcherrima Plant
Updated: 08/05/2016, VioletteRose
 
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VioletteRose on 04/22/2014

I agree, the colors in the petals of these flowers resemble the colors of a variety of marigold flowers. Thanks for visiting again!

DerdriuMarriner on 04/22/2014

VioletteRose, I came back for a second visit. Although the floral outlines are very different from those of marigolds (Tagetes), the overall color scheme of peacock flowers is reminiscent of that evinced in marigolds. Quite a lovely impression.

VioletteRose on 04/20/2014

Thank you all for your kind comments :)

ologsinquito on 04/19/2014

Very pretty flowers. I like those peacock flower cards that you featured.

Mira on 04/18/2014

These flowers are pretty interesting. So peacock flowers, huh? Good to know! :)

DerdriuMarriner on 04/15/2014

VioletteRose, Peacock flowers are as beautiful as faunal peacocks. It's a puzzlement to me why some seeds are poisonous, when, oftentimes, the plant is an overall beauty. Nevertheless, orange and red colors in floral nature oftentimes do signal toxicity.

VioletteRose on 04/15/2014

Thanks for stopping by Sheri_Oz, glad you like these :)

VioletteRose on 04/15/2014

Thanks younghopes :) I agree they are so pretty!

Sheri_Oz on 04/15/2014

A lovely page about one of the flowering shrubs I like best here in Israel.

younghopes on 04/15/2014

So pretty, i have never seen these before

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