Monday, April 26, 2010

What's that neon-yellow tree?


Throughout the day we kept seeing these stunning, neon-yellow trees blooming.  They were all over the place.  Naturally, that was the first thing I looked up when we got back.
 
Yellow Tabebuia, often called "Yellow Tab"  is a wonderful small tree from Brazil. 

There are over 100 species with blooms starting near the first day of spring in South Florida. 

Its masses of yellow trumpet flowers catch everyone's eye.  Fort Myers has the best in the state. 
 Most of the trees we saw lost 100% of their leaves prior to blooming.   When the blooms finish, the foliage returns.
Tabebuias bloom best when they are neglected -- not irrigated.  They have no pests. 

The trunks are dark and gnarled, making them interesting to see, even after they lose their blooms.
(To learn how to pronounce "tabebuia" -- click here:  http://www.howjsay.com/index.php?word=tabebuia&submit=Submit)

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

wow i never knew yellow can be so beautiful well of course it is because i love yellow im going to go buy one for my back yard or front :)