Peacock Flower

About the Peacock Flower

Also known as pride of Barbados and the national flower of Barbados. Their striking orange-red flowers with long red stamens resemble peacock plumage. They are in the pea family and produce distinctive flat pods. They attract butterflies and hummingbirds. They are drought-tolerant and thrive in poor soil. The leaves close at night (nyctinasty). They can grow as shrubs or small trees up to 3 meters. In traditional medicine, they have been used for fever and respiratory issues. They naturalize freely in tropical regions. Over 10 species in the genus.