POINCIANA PULCHERRIMA. 



BARBADOES PRIDE, 



NATURAL ORDER, LEGUMINOSiE. 



HE foliage of the plant now before us is, perhaps, as ornamental 

 as the flowers. 



From the illustration it will be seen that the leaves are 

 oblong leaflets, set in pairs up a thin stem. When seen in 

 a mass, especially when waving in a breeze, these leaves look very 

 graceful and elegant. 



This shrub is in blossom during the hot and rainy seasons ; it bears. 

 panicles of bright yellow, or red and yellow flowers, which are in great 

 profusion at the ends of the stems. 



The brilliant and gaudy effect ma)- readily be imagined. 



There are two varieties, one having pure yellow flowers, and the 

 other yellow marked with red, as depicted in the plate before us. 



The buds before expanding are like small round balls at the end 

 of their stalks, about two inches long. 



According to the advice given by Ferminger, fresh plants should be 

 raised from seed every year ; but my experience does not corroborate 

 this, as a year would hardly allow the shrubs to attain their full 

 perfection. 



I find also, from the above authority, that this shrub cannot stand 

 extreme cold, but attains greater perfection in hot climates. 



When kept low and thick these shrubs make a capital hedge, from , 

 which fact I imagine it is occasionally called " Barbadoes Flower 

 Fence," but when treated in this manner the handsome look of the bush 

 is completely spoilt. 



For useful and medicinal purposes this plant is singularlv valuable. 

 Major Drury states "that a decoction is made by the natives of the West 

 Indies of the leaves and flowers, which is serviceable in fevers," and the 

 roots and seeds are also used in pharmacy. The wood makes very good 

 charcoal. 



The height of the bush is about seven or eight feet ; when first 

 expanding the leaves are of a bright, light green. They have been 

 very appropriately compared "to numerous fans floating and waving in 

 the air." 



Great care is required in the treatment of young plants. They 

 grow well from seed, but when a few inches high they cannot bear too 

 much heat or too much rain, and also are often killed by the ravages 

 of white ants. 



