This fast growing shrub to small tree has whitish waxy green upright stems with prickles that form a dense rounded crown. It has fern-like leaves with light-green elliptical leaflets and the saucer-shaped orange-yellow flowers appear in a raceme during summer.

Hardiness zones 9 to 11 

Caesalpinia pulcherrima is naturally found in the West Indies growing in lowland rainforest and on the adjoining rocky hillsides in well-drained moist fertile sandy soils. It prefers a sunny open position and is drought tender but mildly frost resistant.

Dwarf Poinciana is grown for its colourful flowers and its fast rate of growth. It is used in shrub borders or as a specimen plant in small to medium size gardens. It establishes from seed in one season but may be short lived and tolerates some frost then re-shooting from the roots in spring. It is planted in gardens for a tropical effect and is suitable for coastal or inland regions. ID 1548

Caesalpinia (ses-al-PIN-ee-uh) pulcherrima (pul-KAIR-ih-muh)

Fabaceae (fab-AY-see-ee)