MEXICAN BIRD OF PARADISE: CAESALPINIA pulcherrima

We have many routes we can take in our neighborhood to walk Angus & Scout. This is Scout's favorite street & she is quite stubborn with insisting we go this way.  On our walk today I noticed this heat loving beauty,
quite happy planted in the median.  It seems to thrive even with our
recent extreme temperatures, along with Bougainvellea, which it is often paired with.  

This member of the pea family, (notice to pod) is known by many names, including Flamboyant Tree, Peacock Flower, Mexican Bird of Paradise, &
Pride of Barbados.   It is native to the tropics & subtropics of the Americas, & is the national flower of Barbados.  It is called Peacock Flower because 
when blooming it is like a peacock flaunting its beauty.  

This striking full sun ornamental can be used in public & private gardens, even as a (10ft/3M) hedge or in a pot.  It is great in low water or xeriscaping gardens, where it requires little care once established..  It is grown worldwide & even appeared on  Meghan Markle's wedding veil, according to my research. Maybe an odd choice, because this flower symbolizes ESCAPE.  (There is a story there, I wager.)  

It is maybe best enjoyed from afar, as I do on our walks, because it has thorns & all parts are poisonous.  Hummingbirds seem to love it, &.
it has earned the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

The Santa Ana winds actually felt good walking this morning, & thankfully will be of short duration.  I heard a helicopter overhead & hope it was just 
on a routine surveillance mission.  With so many devastating fires in California & the Western US, we are all a little edgy.  

Scout was very happy to take her favorite route & is now resting.
Angus is right here by my side, ready for the next challenge.