Consulta Plantas

Care of the shrub Caesalpinia spinosa or Tara

The genus Caesalpinia, family Fabaceae, comprises 100 species of shrubs and trees native to tropical and temperate regions of the planet. Some species are: Caesalpinia spinosa, Caesalpinia gilliesii, Caesalpinia mexicana, Caesalpinia vernalis, Caesalpinia japonica, Caesalpinia pulcherrima.

Common name: Tara. Scientific synonyms: Tara spinosa, Poinciana spinosa. This species is native to Peru.

They are fast-growing shrubs or small trees that reach 4 meters (13.12 feet) in height. They have bipinnate leaves and oval green leaflets. The flowers appear in terminal clusters 20 cm (7.87") long and are orange in color. They bloom in summer. The decorative fruits are flat reddish pods of 10 cm (3.93").

They are used in gardens as isolated specimens. They are used in folk medicine in Peru and to obtain dyes.

Caesalpinia spinosa needs a exposure with full sun and average temperatures of 15-25 ºC (59-77 ºF). They do not tolerate frost. It's an ideal plant for the Mediterranean climate.

The soil can be a garden substrate, well drained and rich in humus.

Water moderately all year round and increase watering in summer. They are very resistant to drought shrubs.

Prune in spring by cutting off half of the shoots and old branches.

Fertilize in autumn with compost and with mineral fertilizer in summer.

They are plants resistant to pests and diseases.

They propagate by seeds sown in spring; soak the seeds in hot water for 24 hours.

Images of the shrub Caesalpinia spinosa or Tara