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; in Gardens just north of Baobab (Adansonia digitata); 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. In 2007, the tree was severely damaged by Hurricane Dean, but new branches are emerging from the old stem, forming a new tree. In addition, efforts are being made to propagate new plants from seed and cuttings.

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.

References:
Dominica Forestry & Wildlife Division. Dominica's Botanic Gardens: A Guide to Selected Trees and Shrubs, Ministry of Agriculture, Dominica 1988