The Jacaranda is one of South Africa's best known trees, but it is an invasive exotic that was originally introduced from Brazil and Argentina.
Pretoria is also known as the 'Jacaranda City' because of the prevalence of these trees on the city's streets and parklands. The jacaranda is most noticeable in spring when it flowers in bright displays of purple-blue.
The name jacaranda is derived from Portuguese meaning "to have a hard core, hard branch".
Although the purple-blue is the most well know, Jacarandas are found in 4 different colours, including white, yellow and pink. Pink Jacarandas are found further north in Zimbabwe.
They are also a popular tree in Florida, California and Australia.
These are some of the formal gardens from which I took some of the above photographs.
Even here in the distance are Jacaranda trees.
20 comments:
I have only been to Pretoria once and it was in the winter. I would really like to visit it in the spring when the Jacarandas are in bloom to be able to take some nice pics of it.
the tree is getting quite popular here .not seen the white one but we have a pink blossom blue and yellow the latter grows everywhere.
the blue variety seems to have two flowering times in one year.
They're pretty. Are they fragrant also?
Cool looking trees. Congrats on You and Gaelyns' "Big 5" day!!
What a pertty tree. Too bad it isn't all that popular. You didn't mention if there is a fragrance?
B.
Oh memories, memories. I have seen white jacaraandas as well but certainly not pink or yellow. I undersatand that in South Africa you are not allowed to plant new trees now as they use too much water. Sad.
Invasive they may be. But they sure are pretty...
Joan: I love this purple tree.
Such beautiful trees! It would be great to have those all over!
Joan wow this is so beautiful. Anna :)
You should Jonker, it is a most amazing sight. Hope you don't get hayfever though? :)
They do have a slight smell Craver but not an overwhelming one.
The pink one is the most beautiful of them all Tony. If you get two flowerings a year, that must be the perfect spot for them then.
Sorry about that Becky. Yes, they do have a slight smell which fills the air when blooming.
Thanks Mike. It was incredible and does not happen very often believe me. Most people only find 3 out of the 5 and I have sometimes seen 4 out of 5. Most people who go there on a regular basis never see them even over an extended stay so we were very lucky.
Poor you Diane. You must miss it all? The pink is mostly found further north in Zimbabwe so unless you go there, you are not likely to see it. The yellow is common and you might know it as a "feather duster tree"?
Thanks Tom. It is very pretty but makes a great mess. :)
Have to agree with you TB and they make a wonderful show each year. They are one of the species which tells me spring has arrived.
Thanks Anna. An incredible sight each year.
Hello Mary. When you stand at one of the vantage points looking over the town, there is not a spot where they are not seen.
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