Caesalpinia

Caesalpinia
Caesalpinia pulcherrima
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Fabales
Family: Fabaceae
Subfamily: Caesalpinioideae
Tribe: Caesalpinieae
Genus: Caesalpinia
 Plum. ex L. (1853)
Type species
Caesalpinia brasiliensis
L.[2]
Species[1]

10; see text

Synonyms[1]
  • Campecia Adans. (1763), nom. superfl.
  • Poincia Neck. (1790), opus utique oppr.
  • Poinciana Tourn. ex L. (1753)
  • Radackia Cham. & Endl. (1836)

Caesalpinia is a genus of flowering plants in the family Fabaceae. It includes 10 species which range from southeastern Mexico through Central America to Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, and to Cuba, Hispaniola, and the Bahamas.[1]

Historically, membership within the genus has been highly variable, with different publications including anywhere from 70 to 165 species, depending largely on the inclusion or exclusion of species alternately listed under genera such as Hoffmannseggia. It contains tropical or subtropical woody plants. The generic name honours the botanist, physician, and philosopher Andrea Cesalpino (1519–1603).[3]

The name Caesalpiniaceae at family level, or Caesalpinioideae at the level of subfamily, is based on this generic name.

  1. ^ a b c Caesalpinia Plum. ex L. Plants of the World Online. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  2. ^ "Caesalpinia L." TROPICOS. Missouri Botanical Garden. Retrieved 2009-10-19.
  3. ^ Gledhill, David (2008). The Names of Plants (4th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 83. ISBN 978-0-521-86645-3.