Red Bird of Paradise

Caesalpinia pulcherrima is a semi-evergreen shrub that occurs all throughout Texas, Arizona and much of the southern United States. This particular shrub caught my eye for two reasons. First, the bright orange and yellow colors are attention grabbing but also serve as a warning of their poisonous seeds.  The second reason this shrub caught my attention was for it’s long stamen, which extend far beyond the petals and allow for easy pollination by bees and butterflies.

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Red bird of paradise with a bee in right most top flower

The Inaturalist post can be found here

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