 |
| Photo Credit: Walfrido Tomas |
The Pink and Purple Trumpet Tree, Tabebuia impetiginosa or Tabebuia heptaphylla, are considered by some to be the symbol of
the Pantanal. This tree is in bloom during the dry season, has a height of up
to 50 feet, and is known for its two-inch-wide pink and purple blossoms. With
leaves falling before the tree blossoms, the flowers stand out, contrasting
nicely against the tree’s light gray bark.
The tabebuia genus is found from Mexico to
Argentina and consists of flowering trees and large shrubs. The wood of the
trees in this genus is not especially dense or hard and those that persist in
swampy areas (like that of the Pantanal) have wood that is notably light in
weight. Tabebuia
impetiginosa has wood that is rich in tannins, making it resistant to weather and
sun. The wood is difficult to turn into furniture, but can seen being used for
structural support of buildings.
Tabebuia impetiginosa has others uses as well. It’s an ornamental tree, planted in city squares and along boulevards – a street tree found all the way in India! It’s inner bark is also used for medicinal purposes – made into a tea to free mucus and ease coughing and used by herbalists to treat intestinal candidiasis.
Sources:
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/st615
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tabebuia_impetiginosa
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tabebuia
I love this post so much! Pink is my favorite color, and this tree actually reminds me (on a much bigger scale) of the cherry blossom tree outside my home. I hope we can see them!
ReplyDeleteThese trees are absolutely beautiful and make me think of some cool South American version of the Cherry Blossom Tree. Additionally, the second photograph is extremely well composed. The contrasting warm and cool colors with a small depth of field and an interesting, in focus, subject makes this picture a winner in my book.
ReplyDelete