Caesalpinia cacalaco

[Peter]

[realarch]

Thanks for the post Peter, beautiful tree and lush desert landscaping.

Tim

[mnorell]

These are such beautiful trees. I was just examining one at the nursery and boy, does it have nasty prickles! Like the "rose-prickle" form of Caesalpinia pulcherrima, but with even more of them. I'm so used to seeing the thornless form typically sold in nurseries in the Palm Springs area, and until I saw these gorgeous pictures I thought that was a great thing. Now I see that you are trading convenience in their youth for a fascinating trunk at maturity. Makes the decision a harder one to make, for sure...and luckily both forms have the same bravura flower-show.

[Tracy]

7 hours ago, Peter said:

 

Spectacular looking.  Just curious where this is growing, based on the trail and species markers it looks like its a public garden?

[Tracy]

2 minutes ago, Tracy said:

Just curious where this is growing, based on the trail and species markers it looks like its a public garden?

I didn't see your other posts to realize this was my first suspect, the Huntington Gardens.  Now back to reviewing your other photo from the visit! 

[Silas_Sancona]

4 hours ago, mnorell said:

These are such beautiful trees. I was just examining one at the nursery and boy, does it have nasty prickles! Like the "rose-prickle" form of Caesalpinia pulcherrima, but with even more of them. I'm so used to seeing the thornless form typically sold in nurseries in the Palm Springs area, and until I saw these gorgeous pictures I thought that was a great thing. Now I see that you are trading convenience in their youth for a fascinating trunk at maturity. Makes the decision a harder one to make, for sure...and luckily both forms have the same bravura flower-show.

As interesting side note:  Seed grown plants from the " thornless " var ( more " less " - thorny ..then totally thorn - free, imo ) will supposedly have thorns, but seedlings i have ( from thornless trees ) have very few thorns so far.  Seedling from a thorny tree is also relatively thornless so far as well..  

[BigFrond]

This tree is planted all over the hill of the Palomar College arboretum.  I will take some pix when I go up the hill next time.  It would be a good back scratcher.

[BigFrond]

Not as mature but there are at least a couple of dozens.

[BigFrond]