Yellow Elder

Tecoma stans (L.) Juss. ex Kunth

teh-COMB-ah stanz

Bignoniaceae

Explanation of name: Generic name from an ancient native-Mexican name. Stans means erect (CHA).

Natural range: American Tropics and warm dry areas (escaped in Florida)

Recognition: Fast-growing shrub or small tree, often much branched toward the base, with opposite, pinnate, serrate-margined leaflets, clusters of bright yellow tubular flowers, and bean-shaped pods bearing fibrous waferlike seeds

‘Gold Star’ is a cultivar with a long Flowering season.

Landscape uses: This fast-growing, potentially weedy shrub or small tree is tough, forgiving, and easy to propagate from seeds. It recovers rapidly from pruning. Seedlings from its wind-blown seeds can be weedy nuisances. The flowers are bright yellow and very showy.

Escaped cultivation in Florida (WU2), and a serious invasive pest in the Tropical Pacific.