Jacaranda

Jacaranda mimosifolia D. Don

jack-ah-RAND-ah mim-ose-ah-FOL-ee-ah

Bignoniaceae

Explanation of name: Generic name from a Portuguese name for the tree. Mimosifolia refers to the similarity of the foliage to that of Mimosa.

Synonym: Jacaranda acutifolia Humb.& Bonpl. (see BA1)

Natural range: South America

Recognition: Tree with opposite, feathery, frondlike, twice-compound leaves with the leaflets having pointed tips, and no stipules. The trumpet-shaped flowers are blue to lavender.

Landscape uses (UFST317): Blue-flowered, showy, fast-growing, fine-textured, easily broken, deciduous specimen tree for large sunny spaces. Strongest flowering is usually in spring, following winter chilling (UFST317). Tends to become too large for most city lots. Not tolerant of salt.

Note: Purple-flowering Jacaranda is J. jasminoides (Thunb.) Sandwith