Leopard Tree (Caesalpinia Ferrea)10 seeds
 
 
The bark of the Caesalpinia ferrea is the single most attractive feature of the plant. In the landscape the trunk flows smoothly and gracefully, and the bark is a patchwork of chocolate brown, off-white, and green patches in a mottled pattern which likely gives rise to the common name of "Leopard Tree".
 
 
The old outer bark gradually darkens to a chocolate brown but in active growth the bark is shed and lighter colored white, brown, and green patches result. Trees that grow slowly or are weak will not have multi-colored bark and are uniformly dark in color. 
 
 
The plant is also delicately twiggy which gives it good bonsai character. Another outstanding feature is its thin, layered foliage allowing a penetrating view into the branch structure thus giving the tree an air of delicacy.
 
 
Caesalpinia is tolerant of heat, dryness and is a survivor in pot culture. With severe reduction the tree springs back with new life even from older wood.The number of species used for bonsai in Singapore is impressive, and the quality of the trees is superb.