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| Mexican Caesalpinia, Mexican Poinciana Caesalpinia mexicana Leguminosae (Fabaceae) Mexican poinciana is found in Texas only in the extreme lower Rio Grande Valley. It is grown mainly for its highly fragrant, golden flowers borne in attractive racemes 3 to 6 inches long. In tropical regions it can grow to a tree of 15 feet, but north of its native range it usually performs as an herbaceous perennial, growing to a 3 to 6 foot shrub in a growing season. It is highly ornamental with its spectacular flowers and ferny foliage, and thrives in heat, tolerating reflected heat that many flowering shrubs and trees cannot. Plant Habit or Use: large shrub small tree Exposure: sun Flower Color: gold racemes, 3 to 6 in. Blooming Period: summer fall Fruit Characteristics: pod, 3 to 6 in. long. Pods and seeds are reported to be poisonous. Height: to 30 ft., usually smaller Width: to 15 ft. Plant Character: evergreen Heat Tolerance: very high Water Requirements: low Soil Requirements: neutral Additional Comments:
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