The Caesalpinia cacalaco is famous for its beautiful, bright yellow flowers that bloom in fall and winter. A native to Mexico but prevalent throughout the Southwest, this tree does well in full sun and is hardy to 20 degrees F. It has textured, thorny bark, which can be pruned, or there is a thornless variety called the cascalote “smoothie.” It gets its common name, cascalote, from the Nahuatl word ‘nacazcolotl,’ which literally means ‘twisted ear.’ Perhaps the name comes from the shape of its flowers-- find one of the six specimens on campus and decide for yourself!
