Caesalpinia platyloba-Paela Tree

[Eric in Orlando]

Caesalpinia platyloba, Paela Tree, is native to western Mexico. Its a very nice, smaller tree only growing 15-20 feet tall and drought tolerant. We planted a couple to see how well they would do here and they have performed well so far. They are flowering now with small clusters of bright yellow flowers. This tree has also tolerated to 27F and heavy frost with no damage.

We have one tree planted in the Arid Garden where it gets no irrigation, just natural rainfall. Its a bit smaller (10ft) and it flowered about a month ago. The ones in the photos below is planted in the Idea Garden where it gets irrigated. Its almost 20ft tall and just started flowering. I hope one of them set seed this year.

[fastfeat]

Eric--

This species sure looks a lot like what I planted at Miami Springs Dog Park (via Leon) as C. violacea. The inflorescence on the Dade Co tree is considerably smaller though. I've only seen a couple, but the tree is still young. Does yours get coppery/pinkish new growth?

[ST4]

I have planted a few of these trees. In this area it turns a purplish color in the winter.  The first one I planted is covered in seed pods. The tree you have in the image looks a bit different. I got mine from a native plant nursery the regularly hikes into the wilderness to find the seeds from interesting variety to cultivate. The nursery is somewhat near the Sonoran Forest at the south end of the Sonoran desert where these grow wild. The flowers however are much smaller so far. If it can hybrid with caesalpinia gesillie to maintain the large leaves that turn purple for fall and winter, but have the giant flowers, that would make an awesome low mess plant for Department of Transportation to xeroscape with. Seedless variety would possible be great for around a pool side.

[Silas_Sancona]

7 minutes ago, ST4 said:

I have planted a few of these trees. In this area it turns a purplish color in the winter.  The first one I planted is covered in seed pods. The tree you have in the image looks a bit different. I got mine from a native plant nursery the regularly hikes into the wilderness to find the seeds from interesting variety to cultivate. The nursery is somewhat near the Sonoran Forest at the south end of the Sonoran desert where these grow wild. The flowers however are much smaller so far. If it can hybrid with caesalpinia gesillie to maintain the large leaves that turn purple for fall and winter, but have the giant flowers, that would make an awesome low mess plant for Department of Transportation to xeroscape with. Seedless variety would possible be great for around a pool side.

Agree the species Eric mentioned in the past isn't Caesalpinia platyloba *** Now assigned to the Genus Coulteria *** 
https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/888956-Coulteria-platyloba






Not sure a seedless form exists. Cross with Caesalpinia mexicana *** Now Erythrostemon mexicanus *** would be interesting.. 

Out of curiousity,  are you located here in the states, or down in Sonora?   Happy New Years Regardless..