Caesalpinia pulcherrima (Poinciana pulcherrima)
Red bird of paradise, Pride of barbados, Peacock flower
Leguminosae – Pea family
Description
Caesalpinia gilliesii is a large perennial bush usually between 4-6 feet tall. The leaves form on stout many-branched stems. They are bipinnate; the secondary leaflets are ¼-½ inch in length and oblong. The most distinguishing characteristic is the plant’s large, yellow flowers, which form in racemes at branch ends. The sepals are larger than the petals. The long red stamens are 2-4 inches long and out reach the other flower parts. The flattened pods are several inches long. When the seeds mature, the pods pop open, sending them many feet. In the summer, they can often be heard flying into windows and aluminum siding.
Caesalpinia pulcherrima is an ungainly, large perennial bush. In areas throughout the southwest, the plant usually dies back to the ground in response to colder temperatures, but if protected it is only deciduous. In warmer areas, the plant reaches 4-10 feet in height. It is much larger in the tropics. The leaves are bipinnate, feathery, and composed of small leaflets. The plant’s stems are lined with weak spines. The showy flowers are red-orange and form at branch ends; they are composed of 5 petals, 5 sepals, and 10 stamens.
Caesalpinia mexicana tends to be similar in structure to the others, although the plant’s foliage is denser due to its larger leaflets. This plant can sometimes reach tree-like proportions in protected areas, but is more typically 4-6 feet tall and bush-like. The showy yellow flower clusters form at branch ends. The plant, like C. pulcherrima, is cultivated extensively as an ornamental.
Distribution
All three plants are non-natives from Subtropical or Tropical America. Now though they are planted as ornamentals in warmer locales throughout the southwest. Caesalpinia gilliesii originally from Argentina and Chile is well established in drainage areas and along roadsides from southeastern Arizona, southern New Mexico, to central Texas.
Chemistry
For Caesalpinia pulcherrima: peltogynoids, homoisoflavonoids, caesalpins, diterpenoids, pulcherrimin, bonducellin, and galactomannans; ellagitannin
Medicinal Uses
Bird of paradise tea is mainly a gastrointestinal tract medicine. Like many other desert Pea family plants, this plant is astringent and antiinflammatory. Internally the tea has use in irritative conditions such as gastritis and intestinal inflammation. The plant will also prove lessening to diarrhea and dysentery. The plant’s range of flavonoids tends to be supportive to tissue structure and healing.
Externally the wash or poultice is soothing to rashes, bites, and stings. The plant has promise in relieving Poison ivy and chemical sensitivity rashes. In combination with internal use of Canyon bursage or Brittlebush, it can limit systemic outbreaks.