Common name:
Desert Bird of Paradise / Bird of Paradise bush

Origin:
Argentina and Uruguay

Description:
The desert bird of paradise originates from Argentina and Uruguay, but now also grows in other parts of South America and in countries around the Mediterranean Sea. Especially the flowers with yellow petals and long, red stamens are attractive, as well as the pinnate leaves which gracefully close in the evening. The pods are covered with red hairs and are poisonous. In the Amazon, the pods and seeds are used against fever and other diseases/medical issues. In a sheltered spot, the species could possibly be winter-hardy in Western Europe. The plant loses it leaves at frost.

Germination instructions:
First soak the seeds overnight in lukewarm water. Then sow them in sowing mix and let them germinate at 25degC. Germination can occur in less than a week.

Sowing time:
All year round

Photo 1: BoethingTreeland.com 
Photo 2: Javier Martin