Yellow Bird of Paradise (Caesalpinia gilliesii)

   
 

Fig. 1. Flowers and foliage of the Yellow Bird of Paradise. Socorro, TX. Photograph by A. H. Harris. Fig. 2. Close-up of flowers and buds. El Paso, Texas. Photograph by Florence E. Schwein.

• Common English Names: Yellow Bird of Paradise, Bird of Paradise Bush, Desert Bird of Paradise
• Common Spanish Names: Ponciano, Barba de Chivo, Mal de Ojo
• Scientific Name: Caesalpinia gilliesii (see-sal-PIN-ee-uh gill-LYS-ee-aye)
• Family: Fabaceae (Pea Family)
• Geographic Range: Native of South America (Argentina, Uruguay); now wide-spread in North America.
• Plant Form: Deciduous shrub. 5' H X 5' W or to 10' H.
• Remarks: Open, irregular-branched plant with fine bipinnate foliage and showy yellow flowers with long red stamens through most of the warm season. Seeds are toxic. Very xeric; need low water, full sun, well drained soil, hardy to 10°F. Introduced plant now widely naturalized in the Southwest and Mexico.

Last Update: 10 Nov 2002