What you didn’t know about the most hated, beautiful tree in summer, the Jacaranda
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Published : September 14, 2017
Jacarandas. You either hate them or you love them. They are undoubtedly one of the most beautiful trees that are loved by many for their ‘purple splendor’ and how it gives boulevards an effortless but striking beauty. However, they almost equally hated by allergy prone people and house wives whose yards they make a mess of and impossible to clean.
The Jacaranda is a genus of 49 species of flowering plants in the family Bignoaceae, which is native to the family Bignoniaceae. The Blue Jacaranda, which is the species we know in Zimbabwe, thrives in full sun and on sandy soils and has been introduced to most other tropical regions, particularly Nepal, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
- The blue Jacaranda is native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas.
- It can grow up to 20 to 30metres in height, with bipinnate leaves and imparipinnate leaflets that are 15 to 40 centimetres by 10 to 20 centimetres.
- Jacarandas are now listed as invasive weeds in many countries where they have been introduced because its seed dispersal is so effective and germination in damp ground is very efficient.
- The Jacaranda wood is easily worked and turned and is often made into sculptures because of its ease of use.
- In Kenya, a conservation programme advocates the use of Jacaranda wood and the sale of Jacaranda carvings as a means to save the indigenous woodlands from over harvesting.
- In Brazil, the wood is also used for the body of acoustic guitars.
- They have leaves that are used by the Chinese to make purple dye
- Jacaranda festivals are held in Pretoria, South Africa, and in a number of cities in Australia, during the peak blooming period
- Jacarandas generally flower in spring and summer, and the flowers commonly drop, making a carpet of purple or blue.
- Harare is one of the towns and cities known globally for their beautiful Jacaranda-strewn streets in flowering time, not only in the centre of town along Leopold Takawira and Josiah Chinamano but also in many suburban streets such as Hindhead Avenue in Chisipite or Court Road in Greendale, where one has the impression of following the Emperor when the Jacarandas are in flower.
