Caesalpinia punctata

Plant Family: Belongs to the Caesalpiniaceae family, which includes Barbados Pride (Caesalpinia pulcherrima), Golden Shower (Cassia fistula) and Flamboyant (Delonix regia).

Description: Beautiful, wide spreading tree; one specimen in Dominica Botanic Gardens just north of Baobab (Adansonia digitata)(see Dominica Botanic Gardens website); up to about 15 m tall (50 ft) and 23 m spread (75 ft); yellowish to tan-colored trunk, dividing into several large branches low on stem; leaves bipinnate, with usually four pairs of small, ovate leaflets, about 2.5 cm long (1 in) and 1.5 cm wide (0.6 in); flowers small and light yellow.

Natural Habitat: Thrives in full sun; propagated primarily by seed.

Origin and Distribution: Native to Venezuela and the Caribbean.

Uses: Ornamental specimen and shade tree.