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Caesalpinia pulcherrima is a species of flowering plant in the pea family, Fabaceae, native to the tropics and subtropics of the Americas. It could be native to the West Indies, but its exact origin is unknown due to widespread cultivation. Common names for this species include poinciana, peacock flower, red bird of paradise, Mexican bird of paradise, dwarf poinciana, pride of Barbados, flos pavonis, and flamboyant-de-jardin. The Hawaiian name for this plant is ʻohai aliʻi.
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| Pride of Barbados (Caesalpinia pulcherrima) Native to the West Indies and Tropical America |
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Red Bird of Paradise
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This is a version of plate 45 in Merian's Metamorphosis Insectorum Surinamensium. In her text, Merian described how the moth used its proboscis to suck nectar from the flowers, and shows this in her illustration.
Native to the West Indies
Native to the West Indies
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