Caesalpinia gilliesii
| Caesalpinia gilliesii | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 8 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 16' |
| Blooms: | Mid Summer-Late Summer |
| Nitrogen Fixer | |
| Medicinal Rating: | |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Caesalpinia gilliesii (common name: bird of paradise)
Propagation: Seed - pre-soak for 12 - 24 hours in warm water and sow in a greenhouse in early spring[1]. 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[1].
Cultivation: Requires a sunny position[2], succeeding in any moderately fertile well-drained soil[1] including limy soils[3].
This species is on the borderline of hardiness in Britain. It can tolerate occasional lows down to about -12°c, so long as it is not too wet. It is best grown against a warm, sheltered sunny wall[1]. The plant succeeds against a warm wall at Kew Gardens, where it has grown to a height of 8 metres, it also succeeds in more open conditions on the Isle of Wight[2].
The plant is often cultivated for its very ornamental, showy flowers[4].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[1].
This species has a symbiotic relationship with certain soil bacteria, these bacteria form nodules on the roots and fix atmospheric nitrogen. Some of this nitrogen is utilized by the growing plant but some can also be used by other plants growing nearby[1].
Range: Southern South America - Argentina and Uruguay.
Habitat: Escaped from cultivation where it grows wild in pastures and dry habitats in Texas[4].
Medicinal: The seeds are reported to have antitumour activity[4].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: The green seed pods are severely irritating to the digestive tract[4].
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Bean, William. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Murray, 1981.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray, 1992.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Diggs, George and Barney Lipscomb. Illustrated Flora of North Central Texas. Botanical Research Institute, 1999.