On 25 Sep 2003 21:38:56 -0700, (jabee) opined:

(Gary Brady) wrote in message ...
One has bright yellow, almost popcorn-looking flowers growing in clusters.

Retama?
Gary Brady
Austin, TX


I vote for Retama. Pride of Barbados is commonly used as the name of
two different plants, as is the name Bird of Paradise. Caesalpinia
gelliesii (Poinciana or Bird of Paradise) is the more cold hardy of
the two. The following link will show pictures of both and also
Retama.

http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/greengarden/smalltree.htm

There are a few, at least two different Retama. One is R. parkinsonia, and I
forget just now the other named variety. The one which have very long limbs
with inch to two inch thorns is commonly called Palo Verde. It is a legume, as
all the Retama are legumes.

I have this plant growing everywhere in my garden. Actually three of them I
allow to say, one of those I'm trying to get rid of. There are two right near
the pool and they drop tons of blossoms in spring. Big pain, but so beautiful
and it gives a perfect amount of shade for sun loving plants behind it.

Recently, I brought a flat of these plants to The Natural Gardener, so they are
available there. I will be bringing more to them. In three years I have a 15
foot tree with a 6 inch diameter trunk. Everyone calls it the Dr. Seuse tree!

They also sell the "other" Retama there, but I truly do mix the botanical
classifications up, so the larger of the two is the one with the thorns.

Victoria