1. Also called bead tree . a tropical African and Asian tree, Adenanthera pavonina, of the legume family, having feathery foliage and bearing red seeds that are used in beadwork.
2. Also called Barbados flower fence, dwarf poinciana . a tropical, prickly shrub, Caesalpinia pulcherrima, having orange-yellow flowers with bright red stamens and bearing pods.
[ 1880-85 ]