Mexican Hand Flower

I think it's beautiful!

Dwyllis:

It's a very interesting tree! It can grow very large, though.

This is a pretty common tree in most of the low-elevations of California. Oddly enough, I've never posted a photo of one. :>)

Did you know that the seed pod looks like a hand, also? Actually, that's where the common name comes from.

Alexandramou:

This is a hardy tree (although, young trees are somewhat tender). You should be able to grow one very well, there.

I haven't seen one anywhere else apart from inTrenillow Park .... never seen one growing in any private garden I have visited, but that may be due to its full growth potential. Would love to see a pic of the seed pod!

I'll have to get a photo of the many trees at the San Diego Zoo (next I'm there).

Here's photos of the flowers and seed pod. These are photos of trees up in San Francisco.

http://www.strangewonderfulthings.com/170.htm

Sounds interesting about that seed pod shape.Can you send a photo of the tree if you see some in the future? Must be beautiful in garden, too! It is rare tree, isn´t it?
Could be also due to this shape of seeds
http://journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract;jsessionid=751E6EBBF733A68691B5F2271C47DD6C.journals?fromPage=online&aid=693680

...I found that its name is also "Devil´s Hand Tree", which is more suitable (shape and colour) :))

It is really very rare on Earth! Here is the article on it
http://www.strangewonderfulthings.com/170.htm

Katarina:

I referenced the same website above just before your first comment. It's definitely not a "RARE" tree in California. In fact, the article above is of a tree growing in the San Francisco Bay Area, which I've seen many times.

Hi Delonix,

I of course did not argue that it is rare in California. What I wrote and what is referring to those two articles is that this type of tree, thanks to its strange large seeds is now rare in the world. It is kind of relict from antedeluviant time. Of course, still growing in some areas, like South America, Mexico, California.
:)