Status: Exotic
Synonyms:
Poinciana gilliesii Wallich ex Hooker
Caesalpinia gilliesii is an exotic (originally from Argentina according to Martin & Hutchins) which is now established on its own mainly around Silver City and
dwellings in the area. It has yet to successfully establish populations in the wilderness. The flowers
are gaudy yellow with exerted red stamens. It is a woody shrub and does well in dry ground. Most of the seeds are forcibly ejected from the pod when it bursts open. The stems are glandular (the glands are purple brown against a yellow orange stem in the winter.) There appear to be two winter bud scales which partially cover the pedicellate bud (which looks like a mushroom) and are fringed with broad triangular shaped hairs.
Please click on an image for a larger file.
Caesalpinia gilliesii, photo Russ Kleinman, across from Silver High School, Silver City, June 11, 2008
Caesalpinia gilliesii, detail of flower, photo Russ Kleinman, across from Silver High School, Silver City, June 11, 2008
Caesalpinia gilliesii, pod remnant after opening, photo Russ Kleinman, Ridge Road, Silver City, Jan. 7, 2009
Caesalpinia gilliesii, closeup of one seed that failed to eject from pod, photo Russ Kleinman, Ridge Road, Silver City, Jan. 7, 2009
Caesalpinia gilliesii, photo Russ Kleinman, in fruit, photo Russ Kleinman, Ridge Road, Silver City, October 21, 2009
Caesalpinia gilliesii, photo Russ Kleinman, closeup of legume, photo Russ Kleinman, Ridge Road, Silver City, October 21, 2009
Caesalpinia gilliesii, photo Russ Kleinman, closeup of winter twig, photo Russ Kleinman, Fairway Road near the Golf Course, Silver City, February 25, 2010
Caesalpinia gilliesii, photo Russ Kleinman, closeup lateral bud of winter twig, photo Russ Kleinman, Fairway Road near the Golf Course, Silver City, February 25, 2010
Caesalpinia gilliesii, photo Russ Kleinman, 3x macro of lateral bud of winter twig, photo Russ Kleinman, Fairway Road near the Golf Course, Silver City, February 25, 2010
Caesalpinia gilliesii, photo Russ Kleinman, closeup of winter twig, photo Russ Kleinman, Fairway Road near the Golf Course, Silver City, February 25, 2010
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