The Jacaranda tree is a sub-tropical tree native to south-central South America that has been widely planted elsewhere because of its attractive and long-lasting violet-colored flowers. It is also known as the jacaranda, blue jacaranda, black poui, Nupur or fern tree.
Jacaranda trees have bipinnate leaves, meaning they are fern-like with many small leaflets. This gives the tree a light, feathery appearance. The leaves are green and can turn yellow in the fall in cooler climates, though in many areas where Jacarandas thrive, they are evergreen or semi-evergreen.
The tree is most famous for its trumpet-shaped flowers that bloom in clusters. These flowers are usually a vibrant lavender or blue-purple, but there are also white and yellow varieties. The blooming period occurs in spring, creating a spectacular floral display. When in full bloom, the ground beneath the tree often gets carpeted with fallen petals, creating a picturesque scene.
A mature Jacaranda can grow to heights of 25-50 feet with a spread of 15-30 feet. They have a broad, often irregular canopy. The bark is grayish-brown and becomes rough and furrowed with age. The wood is pale grey to whitish, straight-grained, relatively soft and knot-free. It dries without difficulty and is often used in its green or wet state for turnery and bowl carving.
Generally, Jacaranda trees are associated with wisdom, rebirth, wealth, and good fortune, with their name meaning “fragrant” in Guarani, suggesting an appreciation for their aesthetic and olfactory contributions to landscapes particularly in regions where these trees are prevalent.
Jacaranda Trees
Jacaranda mimosifolia
This is the most common species, often simply referred to as the Blue Jacaranda or just Jacaranda. It’s native to South America, particularly Brazil and Argentina, but has been planted worldwide.
- Fern-like, bipinnate leaves.
- Blue to purple flowers, which bloom in spring and early summer.
- It can grow up to 15-20 meters tall.
Jacaranda caucana
Jacaranda caucana is native to several countries in Central and South America, specifically are Costa Rica, Panama, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, and Colombia. This tree was first described by Swiss-born botanist Henri François Pittier in 1917.
Jacaranda caucana is medium-sized with a straight trunk. The crown is wide and round with fern-like leaves that almost reach the ground. The leaves are small, pointed and divided into leaflets and subleaflets. During the dry season large, purple flowers are produced. The fruits are “woody capsules”. The deep purple flowers mean it is commonly used as an ornamental tree in gardens.
Jacaranda copaia
Jacaranda copaia is native to Central America and northern South America, thriving in regions like the Amazon Rainforest. It’s commonly found in humid, low elevation forests, particularly in secondary forest growth or cleared areas where it acts as a pioneer species.
The tree can grow quite tall, often reaching up to 30 to 35 meters with some reaching even 45 meters in ideal conditions. It has a cylindrical trunk with light brown, corky bark. Young trees are noted for having long trunks with no branches for much of their height.
Like other Jacarandas, it likely has bipinnate leaves. It produces bluish-purple flowers, which bloom in clusters, typically from August to November.
Jacaranda arborea
Jacaranda arborea is native to Cuba and is noted for being threatened by habitat loss. Like other Jacarandas, it thrives in tropical and subtropical environments. Leaves are often fern-like, delicate, and bipinnate. During spring and summer, the tree bursts into a profusion of vibrant blue blooms, resembling cascading waterfalls of color.
Jacaranda jasminoides
Jacaranda jasminoides, often referred to as the Purple Jacaranda or Dwarf Jacaranda, is a species within the Jacaranda genus of the Bignoniaceae family. native to Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina. Unlike its cousin, Jacaranda arborea, which has blue flowers, J. jasminoides offers a more delicate and sweet scent.
This species grows as a smaller tree or shrub compared to the more commonly known Jacaranda mimosifolia. It reaches heights of about 10 to 25 feet. It produces beautiful lilac to dark purple tubular flowers. Like other Jacarandas, it has bipinnate leaves.
It thrives in USDA hardiness zones 9 through 11, similar to its relatives, indicating it prefers warmer climates where it can receive full sun for optimal blooming.
Jacaranda caroba
Jacaranda caroba is native to Brazil, particularly found in the Atlantic Forest biome, which stretches along the eastern coast of Brazil, including regions like São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, and Paraná.
Like other Jacarandas, J. caroba has bipinnate or even tripinnate leaves, which gives them a very fine, feathery appearance, though it might differ slightly in size or arrangement from other Jacaranda species.
The flowers are purple or lilac, typical of many Jacaranda species, though they might vary in shade. They bloom in clusters.
This species tends to be a medium-sized tree or shrub, not as towering as some of its relatives like J. mimosifolia, but still significant enough to be noticed in landscapes.
Jacaranda caroba has been used in traditional medicine, particularly in Brazilian folk remedies. Its bark, leaves, and flowers have compounds that are believed to have diuretic, anti-inflammatory, and antisyphilitic properties. Extracts from this plant have been studied for various medicinal applications, including its potential as an insecticide or for treating tropical diseases due to its bioactive compounds.
Jacaranda obtusifolia
This species is native to South Tropical America, where it grows primarily in the wet tropical biome. Its presence has been noted in regions like Trinidad and Tobago, Venezuela, and potentially other parts of South America.
Like many Jacaranda species, it has bipinnate leaves, which are compound leaves with leaflets arranged on either side of the stem, giving them a feathery appearance. These are often crowded at the ends of branches.
The flowers of J. obtusifolia are violet or purple, consistent with the vibrant colors typical of Jacaranda species.
Jacaranda cuspidifolia
Native to Brazil, this tree thrives in its tropical and subtropical environments. The flowers of J. cuspidifolia are noted for being violet or purple, potentially darker than those of J. mimosifolia. They tend to bloom in bunches, which can be one of the identifying features when comparing to other Jacaranda species.
In regions where it grows, it might have traditional uses or be part of local biodiversity conservation efforts due to habitat threats like deforestation. However, its commonality or rarity in cultivation outside Brazil isn’t well-known.
Cultivars and Hybrids
There are also various cultivars and hybrids that have been developed for traits like different flower colors (including white), dwarf sizes for smaller gardens, or improved resistance to pests and diseases. Here are a few notable ones:
- Jacaranda mimosifolia ‘Alba’ or ‘White Christmas’ – Known for its white flowers, this cultivar offers a unique alternative to the traditional purple blooms and can brighten up gardens with its pure white canopy.
- Jacaranda ‘Bonsai Blue’ – A dwarf cultivar specifically bred for its smaller stature, making it ideal for container gardening, small gardens, or as a bonsai specimen. It features deep purple blooms.
- Jacaranda jasminoides ‘Maroon’ – This variety grows to a similar size as ‘Bonsai Blue’ but is distinguished by its dark maroon-purple flowers, adding a rich color variation to the Jacaranda palette.
Cultivation and Care
- Climate: Jacarandas thrive in subtropical to tropical climates but can tolerate some frost. They do best in USDA zones 9b-11, although they can survive in slightly colder zones if protected.
- Soil: They prefer well-drained, fertile soil but are fairly adaptable to different soil types, except for overly wet conditions which can lead to root rot.
- Sunlight: Full sun is ideal for promoting the best flowering.
- Watering: While established trees are somewhat drought-tolerant, young trees require regular watering. During dry periods, supplemental watering helps maintain tree health.
- Pruning: Pruning is usually done to shape the tree or to remove dead or crossing branches. It’s best done after flowering.
Ecological Impact and Uses
- Ornamental: Widely planted in parks, streets, and gardens for their beauty.
- Wood: The wood of Jacaranda is used in some regions for woodworking, although it’s not as commercially significant as other hardwoods.
- Environmental Concerns: In some non-native regions, like parts of Australia, South Africa, and the United States (e.g., Florida), Jacaranda can become invasive, outcompeting local species.