{"product_id":"red-bird-of-paradise","title":"Red Bird of Paradise","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA vivid desert garden shrub photographed in La Quinta Cove\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRed bird of paradise (\u003cem\u003eCaesalpinia pulcherrima\u003c\/em\u003e) 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 \u003cstrong\u003enot a native Coachella Valley wildflower\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAt a glance:\u003c\/strong\u003e Flowering ornamental shrub in the pea family (Fabaceae)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLook for:\u003c\/strong\u003e Orange and yellow petals, long red stamens, and many small paired leaflets\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWhere photographed:\u003c\/strong\u003e La Quinta Cove, California\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eField note:\u003c\/strong\u003e One of Mark’s photos shows a wasp visiting the plant\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOn this page\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#doi-identification\"\u003eHow to identify it\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#doi-season\"\u003eBloom and growth\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#doi-context\"\u003eIn the Coachella Valley\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#doi-gallery\"\u003eMark’s field photos\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"#doi-faq\"\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"doi-identification\"\u003eHow to identify red bird of paradise\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe blossoms gather in upright clusters with warm orange and yellow petals and slender red stamens projecting outward. The leaves are \u003cem\u003ebipinnate\u003c\/em\u003e: 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"doi-season\"\u003eBloom and growth\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"doi-context\"\u003eIn the Coachella Valley\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis 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 (\u003cem\u003eCaesalpinia mexicana\u003c\/em\u003e) and yellow bird of paradise (\u003cem\u003eCaesalpinia gilliesii\u003c\/em\u003e).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"doi-gallery\"\u003eMark’s field photos\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 id=\"doi-faq\"\u003eFrequently asked questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs red bird of paradise native to the Coachella Valley?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eNo. It is a widely planted ornamental here, rather than a native local desert shrub.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs this the same as Mexican bird of paradise?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eNo. Common names vary, but \u003cem\u003eC. mexicana\u003c\/em\u003e generally has yellow flowers, while the shrub photographed here has orange, red, and yellow blooms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhen does it bloom locally?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt commonly blooms from early summer into fall in the Coachella Valley. Weather and site conditions affect timing.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eDoes it attract pollinators?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eYes. Its showy flowers attract insects and hummingbirds. One of the photographs here captures an insect on the plant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhat should I look for to identify it?\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eLook for upright clusters of orange and yellow blossoms with long red stamens, together with finely divided leaves made of many small oval leaflets.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eSources\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cales.arizona.edu\/desertlegumeprogram\/legume-taxa\/caesalpinia-pulcherrima.html\"\u003eUniversity of Arizona Desert Legume Program — \u003cem\u003eCaesalpinia pulcherrima\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/extension.arizona.edu\/publication\/bird-paradise-shrubberies-low-desert\"\u003eUniversity of Arizona Cooperative Extension — Bird of paradise shrubberies for the low desert\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/cvwatercounts.com\/plant-of-the-month-red-bird-of-paradise-caesalpinia-pulcherrima\/\"\u003eCV Water Counts — Red bird of paradise\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Desert Oasis Insider","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":67595233165593,"sku":null,"price":0.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0868\/6813\/2121\/files\/red-bird-of-paradise-flowers-la-quinta-cove-2026.jpg?v=1790661779","url":"https:\/\/desertoasisinsider.shop\/products\/red-bird-of-paradise","provider":"Desert Oasis Insider","version":"1.0","type":"link"}