Calpurnia (plant) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Calpurnia (plant)
Flowers of Calpurnia sericea
Leaves and seed pods of Calpurnia aurea
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Fabales
Family:	Fabaceae
Tribe:	Podalyrieae
Genus:	Calpurnia E.Meyer
Species
See text

Calpurnia is a group of beautiful flowering plants. These plants belong to the Fabaceae family, which is also known as the pea family. Calpurnia plants are usually shrubs or small trees. You can find them growing in or near forests in the eastern parts of South Africa.

Some Calpurnia plants lose their leaves in winter. But if they grow in wet areas, they stay green all year long. People enjoy growing them in gardens. This is because they are easy to grow from seeds. They also start to flower quickly, often in just two years. Plus, they can handle cold weather and frost.

Meet the Wild Laburnum

One well-known type of Calpurnia is called Calpurnia aurea. It is also known as Wild Laburnum. In Afrikaans, people call it Wildegeelkeur. This name means "wild yellow choice."

Bright Yellow Flowers

The flowers of Calpurnia aurea are a bright yellow color. They look like the typical flowers of the pea family. These flowers grow in long clusters called racemes. You can see them blooming for several months.

Pollination and Seed Pods

Large carpenter bees often visit the flowers. They help to pollinate them. After pollination, the flowers change. They turn into thin, straw-colored pods. These pods hold the seeds for new plants.

Types of Calpurnia Plants

The Calpurnia group includes several different types of plants, called species. Here are some of them:

• Calpurnia aurea (Aiton) Benth.
  • subsp. aurea (Aiton) Benth.
  • subsp. indica Brummitt
• Calpurnia capensis (Burm. f.) Druce
• Calpurnia glabrata Brummitt
• Calpurnia robinioides (DC.) E. Mey.
• Calpurnia sericea Harv.
• Calpurnia villosa Harv.
• Calpurnia woodii Schinz

See also

In Spanish: Calpurnia para niños