Jacaranda
| Jacarandas | |
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 Flowering Jacaranda
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| <tr bgcolor="lightgreen"><th> Species </th></tr>
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Jacaranda is a neotropical genus in the family Bignoniaceae. Its members range in size from subshrubs to large trees.
As is often the case with plants, the genus name is also used as the common name for cultivated varieties. The most often seen is the Blue Jacaranda Jacaranda mimosifolia (syn. J. acutifolia). This is widely grown for its ornamental value. Other members of the genus are also commercially important; for example the Copaia (Jacaranda copaia) is important for its timber because of its exceptionally long bole.
Members of the genus Jacaranda differ from other Bignoninaceae by having a staminode that is longer than the stamens, 3-colpate pollen, and a chromosome number of 18. The flowers of most species are blue or blue-purple to magenta, though a few have white flowers.
The genus is divided into two sections, Monolobos and Dilobos, based on the number of theca on the anthers. Section Monolobos (which includes Blue Jacarandas) has 18 species and is found primarily in the Caribbean, Mexico, Central America, and western South America as well in smaller numbers in South Africa (particularly in Pietermaritzburg and Pretoria), where settlers imported the decorative trees. Dilobos, which is believed to be the primitive form, has 31 species and is found primarily in sub-Amazonian Brazil and the adjacent Parank Valley. The anatomy of the wood in the two sections also differs. Although usually treated in Monolobos, Jacaranda copaia seems to be different from all other members of the genus, and to be intermediate between the two sections.
Locations cultivated
Pretoria, the administrative capital of South Africa is popularly known as the Jacaranda city due to the enormous number of Jacaranda trees planted as street trees and in parks and gardens. In flowering time the city appears blue/purple in colour when seen from the nearby hills because of all the Jacaranda trees. Other towns and cities in South Africa have Jacaranda trees, but none produce such a show as that of Pretoria.
The city of Brisbane in Australia has a local reputation of having a significant population of Jacaranda trees. The University of Queensland in the city's inner west has a very high concentration of the tree, and due to the impressive display of purple flowers in mid-Spring, which wind up littering vast sections of the suburbs, local folklore claims that "one won't start studying for exams until the Jacaranda's have molted".
Jacarandas in bloom have become closely associated with Brisbane and South East Queensland. The Brisbane City Council have used jacarandas to line avenues, and commercial developments in some areas, particularly along the Brisbane River have incorporated jacarandas into their landscape design. The trees are common in parks throughout the city, most notably in a long curved avenue in the inner city New Farm Park, and in private backyards. Brisbane's hilly geography allows views of the city and suburbs in which the brightly coloured flowers can be easily seen for miles. The jacaranda has become so much a part of the city's identity that contemporary art, particularly of streetscapes, often incorporates the flowering jacaranda, despite the fact that it flowers for approximately six weeks from September through October.
Jacarandas are also popular in the southwestern United States, notably in Phoenix, Arizona.
References
- Dos Santos, G., & Miller, R. B. (1997). Wood anatomy of Jacaranda (Bignoniaceae): Systematic relationships in sections Monolobos and Dilobos as suggested by twig and stem rays. IAWA Journal 18: 369-383. (public domain document, available online)
Southern California is also heavily infused with Jacaranda trees.
External link
- Goodna RSL Jacaranda Festival at Evan Marginson Park, Goodna
