Explanation of name:   Generic name for Irish botanist Patrick Browne, who was active in Jamaica in the 18^th Century. Coccinea means scarlet.

Natural range:  Tropical America

Synonym: B. capitella (Novon 2: 173. 1992)

Recognition: Legume tree with pinnately compound leaves and bright reddish-orange floral  pompom.  There are multiple species of Brownea with inconsistent and somewhat confused nomenclature encountered in cultivation.  Brownea coccinea uniquely bears its flower heads on older branches, with the young leaflets pinkish.  Brownea grandiceps Jacq. has 12-18 leaflet  pairs, mottled when young, and B. ariza Benth.  has leaflets in 4-9 pairs; it is potentially a synonym of B. grandiceps.  Brownea macrophylla Linden is a semi-vine.

Landscape uses:  Slow-growing tree with very showy but hidden flowers produced below the foliage.  Completely tropical.  Will not take temperatures below 55 degrees.

Internet sources: http://toptropicals.com/cgi-bin/garden_catalog/cat.cgi?uid=Brownea_grandiceps&comments=1