Caesalpinia Caesalpiniaceae (formerly Fabaceae)

The genus is named after Andreas Caesalpini, a 16th Century Italian Italian physician, philosopher and botanist, who published one of the first plant books of the Renaissance. He based his taxonomy on the form of reproductive structures although most theologians of the day denounced the concept of sex in plants. Perhaps being the chief physician to the Pope allowed the "blasphemous ideas" which are the basis of modern botanical taxonomy. (Seashore Plants of South Florida and the Caribbean)

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Caesalpinia gilliesii "Desert Bird of Paradise" Flowers: yellow with red stamen Leaves: ferny Caesalpinia mexicana "Mexican Bird of Paradise" Flowers:Fragrant, lemon yellow in 3-6" long racemes Leaves: broader Caesalpinia pulcherrima "Red Bird of Paradise; Pride of Barbados; Desert Bird of Paradise" Flowers: yellow/dark red Leaves: ferny "This bush is generally known in Phoenix as Mexican Bird of Paradise, a name that really belongs to C. mexicana." Synonym: Dwarf Poinciana Because of it's similarity to the Royal Poinciana, Delonix regia See: Delonix regia Return to Flowers