Plant · GBIF taxon 2958715
Peacock Flower
Caesalpinia pulcherrimaAlso known as Pride of Barbados, Red Bird of Paradise, Mexican Bird of Paradise, Dwarf Poinciana
Peacock flower produces fiery clusters of orange, red, and yellow blossoms equipped with long, thread-like stamens that extend far beyond the petals. Dense fern-like leaves fold up tightly at night, conserving moisture and protecting delicate foliage. Upright seed pods mature to dark brown and eventually pop open violently, launching seeds several meters from the parent shrub.
FloweringTropicalPollinator Magnet
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Autotrophic (Photosynthesis)
Predators
- Caterpillars
- Seed beetles
ThreatsHabitat loss in wild native areas
HabitatsTropical forests, savannas, disturbed areas, cultivated gardens
Life span15–30 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderFabales
- FamilyFabaceae
- GenusCaesalpinia
- SpeciesCaesalpinia pulcherrima
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskHigh
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is high
- Seeds and seed pods contain gastrointestinal toxins; do not ingest and keep away from pets.
- Why it is dangerous
- Seeds contain hydrocyanic compounds and tannins that cause severe vomiting, diarrhea, and gastrointestinal distress if consumed.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Look for flat, dark brown seed pods that split open when ripe, clustered on thorny branches with fiery orange-red flowers.
- What to do
- Wear garden gloves when pruning thorny stems and clear fallen seed pods from areas accessible to pets.
Responsible observation
- Butterfly Gardening: Plant in full sun to encourage abundant blooms that attract swallowtails and hummingbirds.
- Pruning Care: Cut back sharply in early spring to promote dense, bushy new growth and maximum flowering.
- Seed Safety: Collect dark seed pods promptly to prevent unwanted seed dispersal and pet ingestion.
Pollinator D. Gordon E. Robertson / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Pollinator Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
Close Relative no rights reserved, uploaded by 葉子 · cc0
Close Relative no rights reserved, uploaded by Chris · cc0
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