Red Bird of Paradise

A vivid desert garden shrub photographed in La Quinta Cove

Red bird of paradise (Caesalpinia pulcherrima) brings orange, red, and yellow flowers above delicate, fernlike foliage. Mark Miller photographed this blooming shrub on September 28, 2026, near a La Quinta Cove hiking area. The plant is a familiar sight in Coachella Valley landscaping, but it is not a native Coachella Valley wildflower.

• At a glance: Flowering ornamental shrub in the pea family (Fabaceae)
• Look for: Orange and yellow petals, long red stamens, and many small paired leaflets
• Where photographed: La Quinta Cove, California
• Field note: One of Mark’s photos shows a wasp visiting the plant

On this page

• How to identify it
• Bloom and growth
• In the Coachella Valley
• Mark’s field photos
• Frequently asked questions

How to identify red bird of paradise

The blossoms gather in upright clusters with warm orange and yellow petals and slender red stamens projecting outward. The leaves are bipinnate: each leaf divides into smaller branches lined with tiny oval leaflets. The shrub’s airy shape and bright flowers make it easy to recognize when in bloom.

Bloom and growth

In the low desert, red bird of paradise commonly flowers from early summer into fall. It typically grows about 5 to 8 feet tall and can spread roughly 6 feet, although conditions and pruning change its form. Frost can damage the top growth; plants often regrow when warmth returns.

In the Coachella Valley

This is a cultivated, heat tolerant ornamental used in local gardens and streetscapes. Seeing it beside a trail does not establish that it grew there naturally. It is distinct from the yellow flowering Mexican bird of paradise (Caesalpinia mexicana) and yellow bird of paradise (Caesalpinia gilliesii).

Mark’s field photos

The gallery shows the flower clusters, the full shrub against stormy skies, and a close view of an insect on its stem. Photographed by Mark Miller in La Quinta Cove on September 28, 2026.

Frequently asked questions

Is red bird of paradise native to the Coachella Valley?

No. It is a widely planted ornamental here, rather than a native local desert shrub.

Is this the same as Mexican bird of paradise?

No. Common names vary, but C. mexicana generally has yellow flowers, while the shrub photographed here has orange, red, and yellow blooms.

When does it bloom locally?

It commonly blooms from early summer into fall in the Coachella Valley. Weather and site conditions affect timing.

Does it attract pollinators?

Yes. Its showy flowers attract insects and hummingbirds. One of the photographs here captures an insect on the plant.

What should I look for to identify it?

Look for upright clusters of orange and yellow blossoms with long red stamens, together with finely divided leaves made of many small oval leaflets.

Sources

• University of Arizona Desert Legume Program — Caesalpinia pulcherrima
• University of Arizona Cooperative Extension — Bird of paradise shrubberies for the low desert
• CV Water Counts — Red bird of paradise