Description

General aspect and origins - Caesalpinia pulcherrima is a thorny shrub or little tree, that can reach 8 to 20 ft (2.5 to 6 m) tall. It is native to tropical America, and is relatively short lived, but fast growing.
Leaves - Leaves from the pride of Barbados are twice compound, and look like mimosa leaves.
Flowers - The flowers, which can be yellow, orange, orange-red or pink, are borne in terminal clusters. The pride of Barbados flowers throughout most of the year in tropical climates.
Fruits - The fruits are flat pods that are up to 5'' (12 cm) long, that turn brown when ripe, and that contains light brown beans.

Culture

The pride of Barbados is often considered as a pure tropical shrub, that can be grown only in USDA zones 10 and warmer. In fact, it can be grown in protected areas of USDA zones 9, where it will be a deciduous shrub. It can even be tried in warmest places of USDA zone 8, as this shrub is said to withstand short frosts of 15°F (about -10°C). In this case, it will regrow from the ground.
Flowers of this shrub are considered as toxic
Soil - This shrub can grow in a relatively large range of soils, if they are well-drained. It is moderately resistant to ground salinity.

Propagation

The pride of Barbados is easily propagated by seeds.