Brownea coccinea

Scarlet Flame Bean, Rose of Venezuela

Message of the Flower

Divine Love Governing the World

The Mother’s Comment

A beautiful and happy world for which we all aspire.

Spiritual Message by the Mother/ Quotes by Sri Aurobindo

Long ago, very long ago, in the desert land that is now Arabia, a divine being incarnated on earth to awaken it to the Supreme Love. As one would expect, he was persecuted by men, misunderstood, suspected, hunted after. Mortally wounded by his assailants, he wished to die alone, quietly, so that his work might be accomplished; and, pursued by them, he fled. Suddenly in the broad barren plain, a tiny bush of pomegranate appeared. The Saviour stole under its low branches in order to give up his body in peace; and at once the bush expanded miraculously, increased itself, widened, became deep and luxuriant in such a way that when the pursuers passed by they did not even suspect that the One whom they were chasing was hidden there, and they continued on their way.

While, drop by drop, the sacred blood fell, fertilising the soil, the bush covered itself with marvellous flowers, scarlet, enormous―clusters of petals, innumerable drops of blood…

These are the flowers that, for us, express and hold the Divine Love.

The Mother, Words of the Mother - II: Divine Love

A supreme divine Love is a creative Power and, even though it can exist in itself silent and unchangeable, yet rejoices in external form and expression and is not condemned to be a speechless and bodiless godhead. It has even been said that creation itself was an act of love or at least the building up of a field in which Divine Love could devise its symbols and fulfil itself in act of mutuality and self-giving, and, if not the initial nature of creation, this may well be its ultimate object and motive.

Sri Aurobindo, The Synthesis of Yoga - I: The Ascent of the Sacrifice - II

To bring the Divine Love and Beauty and Ananda into the world is, indeed, the whole crown and essence of our Yoga.

Sri Aurobindo, Letters on Himself and the Ashram: Darshan Messages

Divine Love, in my view of it, is again not something ethereal, cold and far, but a love absolutely intense, intimate and full of unity, closeness and rapture using all the nature for its expression.

Sri Aurobindo, Letters on Yoga - II: Divine Love, Psychic Love and Human Love

The Divine Love may not be able yet to manifest on the physical plane, humanity being what it is, as fully and freely as it would otherwise do, but that does not make it less close or intense than the human.

Sri Aurobindo, Letters on Yoga - II: Divine Love, Psychic Love and Human Love

Love is with all, working for the progress of each one equally―but it triumphs in those who care for it.

The Mother, Words of the Mother - II: General

Colour

Orange red

Family

Fabaceae

Person who named the flower

Jacquin

Flower Size

Large clusters; individual flowers are small

Flower Texture

Soft and slightly fuzzy

Number of Petals

Five petals

Floral Symmetry

Radially symmetric

Fragrance of Flower

Mildly fragrant

Leaf Texture

Smooth, leathery

Leaf Arrangement

Compound, opposite

Leaf Color

Green, reddish when new

Structural Variation (Shrub or Tree)

Small tree

Life Cycle

Perennial

Blooming Period

Varies in tropical climates

Climate

Tropical

Water Requirements

Moderate to high, prefers moisture

Soil Type

Rich, well-drained loamy

Temperature Ranges

Hot, humid, not frost tolerant

Sun or Shade

Partial shade

Susceptibility to Insects and Diseases

Root rot, aphids

Pollinators

Hummingbirds, butterflies

Habitat

Rainforests of northern South America

Role in the Ecosystem

Nectar source, adds to canopy layer

Quotations

Not specifically quoted

Ornamental

Highly prized for dramatic flowers and foliage

Uses in Other Aspects of Life

Mainly ornamental

Endangered Status

Not listed as endangered, habitat destruction affects populations