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Tabebuia rosea (Bertol.) DC.
| Family Name: | Bignoniaceae |
| Synonyms: | Tabebuia pentaphylla |
| Common Name: | Trumpet Tree, Pink Poui, New World Trumpet, Rosy Trumpet Tree, Pink Tecoma, 紫绣球， 粉花风铃木 |
You may have seen the Tabebuia rosea tree with a crown full of pink or white flowers, growing along the streets or in parks. Flowering is typically triggered by heavy rains after a long hot and dry spell, usually between March and April and again between August and September. The species is also known among locals as Singapore’s version of the Sakura, due its seasonal flowering characteristic and soft hued flower colours.
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Tree (Big (>30m), Medium (16m-30m)) |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Conical |
| Maximum Height | 35 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Mexico to Venezuela and Ecuador |
|---|---|
| Native Habitat | Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest, Secondary Rainforest) |
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | It is a medium to big deciduous tree. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Leaves are oppositely arranged, palmately compound with 5 leaflets on each stalk. Leaflets are 5 - 22 cm by 2 - 11 cm, oblong to elliptic in shape, with pointed ends. |
| Flowers | Flower is trumpet - shaped with 5 petals, 5 - 8 cm long, large and showy. |
| Fruits | Fruits split open when matured, and the seeds are attached to the central wall. Seeds have winged features, which are dispersed by wind. |
| Cultivation | Propagated by seeds. |
| Etymology | Genus name derived from native Brazilian name 'tabebuia' or 'taiaveruia' . The species epithet 'rosea' means rose coloured. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | [Others]: The bark is reported to have anti-oxidant properties. The timber is used for construction and furniture. |
Landscaping Features
| Landscaping | Flowering is typically triggered by heavy rains after a long hot and dry spell, usually between March and April and again between August and September in Singapore. Blooms last for several days before wilting. Planted along road sides or in parks, the tree provides shade. Flowers are spectacular, and form a pink carpet on the ground around the tree when they falls. |
|---|---|
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers |
| Plant & Rootzone Preference - Tolerance | Saline Soils / Salt Spray |
| Landscape Uses | Roadside Tree / Palm, Shade Providing Tree / Palm |
| Thematic Landscaping | Economic Garden |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Seed or Spore Dispersal | Abiotic |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Planting Distance From | 18 |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Stem Cutting |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Deciduous |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Foliar Type | Compound (Palmate) |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Opposite |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Elliptical) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire - Wavy / Undulate |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute |
| Typical Foliar Area | Macrophyll ( 182.25cm2 - 1640.25 cm2 ) |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 3.0 (Tree - Intermediate Canopy) |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Trunk Type (Non Palm) | Woody |
|---|---|
| Mature Bark Texture | Fissured |
| Mature Bark Texture Remarks | Dark grey and very thick. |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality 1 | Bisexual Flowers |
|---|---|
| Flower Colour(s) | Pink, White |
| Flower Texture(s) | Thin |
| Flower Symmetry | Bilateral |
| Individual Flower Shape | Trumpet-shaped |
| Flowering Period | Hot & Dry Period, After Rain, A Few Times Yearly |
| Flowering Opening Time | Time-Independent |
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
| Flowering Calendar | Mar, Apr, Aug, Sep |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) - Angiosperms and Gymnosperms | Yellow / Golden |
|---|---|
| Fruit Type 1 | Dehiscent Dry Fruit |
| Fruit Type 2 | Silique |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1878 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 3171 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
