Click on any image to open the slideshow
Erythrostemon mexicanus (Rose) Gagnon & G.P.Lewis
Mexican Holdback
Dwarf Poinciana
Mexican Bird Of Paradise
Synonym(s): Caesalpinia mexicana A. Gray
Not native to Florida
Occasionally found in Florida landscapes. This evergreen shrub or small tree is native mainly to coastal areas of Mexico. It can be found in the lower Rio Grande Valley and also in California and Arizona.
A fast growing woody plant reaching from 3-4.5m (10 to 15 ft.) tall with brittle stems. The leaves are alternate, bipinnate and have dark green leaflets. The bright yellow flowers appear in terminal spikes. The fruit are tan pea-shaped pods that open explosively to scatter the bean-like seeds.
In its native range Mexican holdback is host for the curve-winged metalmark (Emesis emesia) butterfly.
Erythrostemon mexicanus is a member of the Fabaceae - Pea family.
iNaturalist profile for this species
USDA Plant Profile for this species
Date record last modified: Oct 22, 2023
