Caesalpinia gilliesii

(W. J. Hooker) D. Dietrich

Bird of paradise tree

Fabaceae Edible: Flowers - spice

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Summary

Deciduous shrub growing to 5 m tall, hardy to UK zone 8, flowering July to August. Hermaphroditic flowers pollinated by insects. Nitrogen-fixing. Tolerates light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils with good drainage. Grows in mildly acid to very alkaline conditions. Requires full sun and prefers moist soil.

Description

A shrub or small tree. It can be 5 m high. The branches are smooth. The leaves are 10-20 cm long. There are 7-11 pairs of leaflets. The flowers are at the end of the branches. The flowers are bright yellow with orange markings. The stamen are bright red and 8 cm long. The fruit are oblong and curved pods. They are 6-12 cm long by 1-2 cm wide and flat.

Edible Uses

None known

Traditional Uses

The flower stamen are used to adulterate saffron. Caution:

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

Antitumor The seeds are reported to have antitumour activity.

Distribution

A tropical plant. It needs a light to medium well-drained soil. It should be rich in humus. It needs a protected partly shaded position. It is damaged by drought or frost. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 2,500 m above sea level.

Where It Grows

Africa, Argentina*, Asia, Australia, Botswana, Brazil, Chile, Hawaii, Indonesia, Namibia, North America, Pacific, Pakistan, SE Asia, Slovenia, South America*, United Arab Emirates, UAE, Uruguay, USA,

Cultivation

It can be grown from seed. The seed need treatment before sowing. They can also be grown from cuttings.

Propagation

Seed - pre-soak for 12 - 24 hours in warm water and sow in a greenhouse in early spring. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter, planting them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Softwood cuttings in sand in a frame.

Other Uses

None known Special Uses Nitrogen Fixer

Notes

There are about 150 Caesalpinia species. Also as Caesalpinaceae.

Synonyms

Poinsiana gilliesii W.J. Hooker

Also Known As

Algarrobillo, Bar ba de chivo, Disciplina de monja, Gilliesova cezalpinija, Kemerakan cendrawasih, Lagana de perro, Maldiojo, Pichana, Pisciba

References (8)

Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 181
Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 66
Kermath, B. M., et al, 2014, Food Plants in the Americas: A survey of the domesticated, cultivated and wild plants used for Human food in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. On line draft. p 157
Karim, F. M. & Dakheel, A, J., 2006, Salt-tolerant plants of the United Arab Emirates. 2006. International Center for Biosaline Agriculture, Dubai, UAE. p 107
Malezas Comestibles del Cono Sur, INTA, 2009, Buernos Aires

Show all 8 references

Staples, G.W. and Herbst, D.R., 2005, A tropical Garden Flora. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu, Hawaii. p 307
Sukarya, D. G., (Ed.) 2013, 3,500 Plant Species of the Botanic Gardens of Indonesia. LIPI p 596
Syn. pl. 2:1495. 1840