Caesalpinia coriaria

Medium size tree from Aruba, very often seen in pictures with windswept shapes near the ocean. This is the national tree of Curacao. In sheltered locations, the tree is symmetrical with a spreading mounded top. Exposed to the prevailing winds, however, it leans away from the wind, and its top, growing mostly to the lee side, appears to be blown out horizontally in the wind. The Divi-Divi is quite easy. There is nothing really special in their care. Perhaps just some protection if the temperature dips bellow 35F. The basic requirements are full to partial sun, average water, and fertilizer. Divi-Divi flowers during the warm weather, but the flowers are not very showy. The really beauty of the plant resides on their delicate fine leaves. It has beautiful reddish/pink new growth and the shapes that can be achieved by trimming, thus making it one of the favorite trees for bonsai training.

Similar plants:

• Caesalpinia bonduc (Grey Nicker, Bonduc Nut)
• Caesalpinia cassioides (Flying Fish Flower)
• Caesalpinia ferrea (Brazilian Ironwood, Leopard Tree)
• Caesalpinia lutea (Yellow Peacock flower, Barbados pride, dwarf poinciana, Barbados flower-fence)
• Caesalpinia mexicana (Mexican Bird of Paradise, Dwarf Poinciana)
• Caesalpinia pulcherrima (Peacock Flower, Barbados Pride, Dwarf Poinciana, Barbados Flower-fence, Gold Mohur)
• Caesalpinia pulcherrima 'Compton', Poinciana pulcherrima (Pride of Barbados, Pink Dwarf Poinciana, Flower Fence)
• Caesalpinia pulcherrima Mexican Flame (Mexican Peacock flower)
• Caesalpinia sappan, Biancaea sappan (Sappanwood, Bukkum-wood, Gango )
• Caesalpinia spinosa (Tara, Spiny Holdback)