Uses Caesalpinia_pulcherrima

1 uses

1.1 food
1.2 medicinal
1.3 ornamental

uses
food

all seeds of caesalpinia poisonous. however, seeds of species edible before reach maturity (e.g. immature seeds of c. pulcherrima) or after treatment (e.g. c. bonduc after roasting).

medicinal

maroon medicine men in suriname have long known of medicinal uses c. pulcherrima, known ayoowiri. 4 grams root said induce abortion in first trimester of pregnancy.

maria sibylla merian, 17th-century artist, encountered plant in dutch colony of surinam. in seminal work, metamorphosis insectorum surinamensium, marian recorded african slaves , native indian populations use flos pavonis or peacock flower abortifacient. wrote:

the indians, not treated dutch masters, use seeds [of plant] abort children, children not become slaves are. black slaves guinea , angola have demanded treated, threatening refuse have children. told me themselves.

ornamental

c. pulcherrima cultivated species in genus caesalpinia. striking ornamental plant, grown in domestic , public gardens in warm climates mild winters, , has beautiful inflorescence in yellow, red, , orange. small size , fact tolerates pruning allows planted in groups form hedgerow; can used attract hummingbirds.